ままに

The grammar structure ままに is used to express doing something exactly as directed, felt, or naturally occurs – without resistance, alteration, or one's own judgment. It conveys the idea of following along with something passively or acting in accordance with an external force, instruction, feeling, or natural course.

It often translates as "as", "just as", "in accordance with", or "as one pleases/feels".

Following someone's instructions or words

When used with verbs like ゆう言う (to say), おしえる教える (to teach), or みちびく導く (to guide), ままに indicates doing exactly as told or directed.

Following one's own feelings or desires

ままに can also describe acting according to one's own emotions, instincts, or desires without restraint.

Following a natural course

It can express that something happens naturally or that one goes along with events as they unfold.

Connection to related grammar

• ままに emphasizes passive compliance or natural flow – doing things "as X dictates."
• This is different from まま (without ままに's に), which often describes a state remaining unchanged (e.g., まど窓をあけた開けたままねた寝た – "I slept with the window open"). While related, ままに specifically highlights acting in accordance with something.
• Compare with とおりに, which also means "as" or "just as" but tends to focus more on following a specific method or pattern, whereas ままに carries a nuance of yielding to something naturally or without resistance.

Structure details

ままに attaches to:

• Verb (dictionary form / passive form)
  • ままに: おもう思う → 思うままに, いわれる言われる → 言われるままに
• Verb (past form)
  • ままに: されるがままに (as one is acted upon)
• Noun + の
  • ままに: こころ心 → 心のままに, きもち気持ち → 気持ちのままに