JLPT N2 grammar

〜ままにmeaning and usage

Meaning

Do B as A wishes or directs

How to form it

  • verb (dictionary form)ままに
  • verb (passive form)ままに
  • nounのままに

How it is used

Doing B just as A leads, whether one's own feelings (「思うままに」) or someone else's words (「言われるままに」), without resisting or judging. Different from 「〜たまま」, which means a state stays unchanged.

Examples

  1. 一日でいいから思うままに過ごしてみたい。

    Even if it's just for one day, I'd like to spend it however I feel like.

  2. 店員に勧められるままに、高いコートを買ってしまった。

    I went along with the shop assistant's suggestions and ended up buying an expensive coat.

  3. 休みの日は、気の向くままに町を歩くのが好きだ。

    On my days off, I like to wander around town wherever I feel like going.

About the example 1. Do B as/like A