まま

as (it is); remaining (in a state); keeping (the same); leaving (unchanged)

Also:with (e.g. one's eyes closed, the light on), as (one pleases, one is told, etc.), sic

What does まま mean?

まま is a Japanese noun meaning “as (it is); remaining (in a state); keeping (the same); leaving (unchanged)” in English. It can also be translated as “with (e.g. one's eyes closed, the light on), as (one pleases, one is told, etc.), sic” depending on context. It is written as まま in hiragana, and mama in romaji. This word is part of JLPT N5 vocabulary.

Example sentences

町は昔のままだった。

The town was exactly the same as before.

窓を開けたまま寝るな。

Don't sleep with the windows open.

足の向くままに歩いた。

We let our legs do the leading.