What it means
ままに expresses doing something according to another action, instruction, feeling, or desire, or leaving something in the condition described. With a verb in the dictionary form, it often means “as someone or something does” or “as instructed.” With a verb in the た-form, it often means “exactly as one experienced or perceived it.” With a noun followed by の, it means “according to” or “in accordance with” that noun. The expression can suggest that the subject follows an existing course rather than making an independent choice.
Usage note
ままに is often used in written, formal, or narrative contexts. Do not confuse it with the separate pattern verb + たまま, which means that something remains in the state resulting from the verb.
How to use it
彼女は自分の思いのままに進路を決めました。
She decided on her career path according to her own wishes.
私は案内人が示すままに、山道を進みました。
I proceeded along the mountain path exactly as the guide indicated.
私は状況を見たままに報告しました。
I reported the situation exactly as I saw it.
彼女は自分の思いのままに進路を決めた。
She decided on her career path according to her own wishes.
私は案内人が示すままに、山道を進んだ。
I proceeded along the mountain path exactly as the guide indicated.
私は状況を見たままに報告した。
I reported the situation exactly as I saw it.
Example sentences
医師の指示のままに薬を飲み続けたところ、症状が少しずつ改善した。
When I continued taking the medicine according to the doctor's instructions, my symptoms gradually improved.
旅行者は、見たままに町の様子をスケッチブックに記した。
The traveler recorded the appearance of the town in a sketchbook exactly as they saw it.
休日の午後