JLPT N4 Grammar
· Elementary
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· Elementary
as it is; remaining
Category: State & Preparation
The grammar pattern "V-た/V-ない/A-い/Na-な/N-の + まま" describes a state that continues without change. It often implies that an expected action to change the state did not occur. This pattern focuses on the result of a previous action or the lack thereof. For example, if someone left the lights on, the state of the lights being on continues until they are turned off. This pattern is often used in situations where a change is expected but does not occur.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ta-form of verbs | V-た | V-た (e.g. 食べた, きた) |
| Na-adjective in the na-form | A-い | A-い (e.g. 美味しい, すばらしい) |
| Na-adjective in the na-form | Na-な | Na-な (e.g. 美味しい, すばらしい) |
| Noun in the no-form | N-の | N-の (e.g. 花の, 家の) |
| Negative form of verbs | V-ない | V-ない (e.g. 食べない, 来ない) |
昨夜は、電気をつけたまま寝てしまいました。
Kinō wa, denki o tsuketa mama nemu shi mashita.
I fell asleep with the lights still on last night.
昨夜は (last night), 電気をつけた (turned on the lights), まま (still), 寝てしまった (fell asleep)
靴をはいたまま部屋に入らないでください。
Kutsu o hiita mama heya ni hairanai de kudasai.
Please don't enter the room with your shoes still on.
靴をはいた (wore shoes), まま (still), 部屋に入らないでください (don't enter the room)
この野菜は生のまま食べてもおいしいですよ。
Kono yasai wa nama no mama tabete mo oishii desu yo.
You can still eat this vegetable raw and it's delicious.
この野菜は (this vegetable), 生のまま (still raw), 食べても (can eat), おいしいですよ (it's delicious)
彼女は来ないまま、夜遅い時間まで待ってました。
Kanojo wa konai mama, yoru no osoi jikan made matte mashita.
She waited until late at night because she didn't come.
彼女は (she), 来ない (didn't come), まま (still), 夜遅い時間まで (until late at night), 待ってました (waited)
この本は読まないまま、読むことができませんでした。
Kono hon wa yomamai mama, yomu koto ga dekinai deshita.
I couldn't read this book because I didn't read it.
この本は (this book), 読まない (didn't read), まま (still), 読むことができませんでした (couldn't read)
This pattern is used to describe a state that continues without change. It is often used in situations where a change is expected but does not occur. The pattern can be used with verbs, na-adjectives, and nouns. It is a common pattern in Japanese and is often used in everyday conversation.
The ta-form is used to describe a completed action, while the dictionary form is used to describe an action in general. Using the dictionary form instead of the ta-form can change the meaning of the sentence.
Na-adjectives have different forms depending on whether they are used as a predicate or as a modifier. Forgetting the na-form can change the meaning of the sentence.
The no-form of the noun is used to describe a state that continues without change. Using the wrong form can change the meaning of the sentence.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to use the correct form of the verb, na-adjective, or noun. Also, pay attention to the context of the sentence and use the pattern to describe a state that continues without change.
昨夜は、電気をつけた______寝てしまいました。
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