Meaning & usage
まま expresses that something stays in its current state without change while another situation continues. It follows the past form as in かけたまま, the negative form as in ないまま, nouns with の as in ありのまま, and demonstratives directly as in このまま and そのまま. It often pairs with にする, にしておく, or で to show leaving a state unchanged, and あるがまま is a set phrase meaning as things are.
Example sentences 5
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作業をやりかけのままにしとかないでよ。
Don't leave your work half finished.
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その２人は別れたまま、２度と会うことがなかった。
The couple parted, never to meet again.
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エンジンをかけたままにしておきなさい。
Leave the engine running.
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電気つけたままにしとく？
Do you want the lights left on?
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食べ物を口に入れたまましゃべるのはよくありません。
It is not good to talk with your mouth full.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 16 past exam questions.
And 12 more tests.
