JLPT N3・N4 Grammar – The difference between “〜まま” and “〜っぱなし”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “〜まま” and “〜っぱなし”
2. 〜まま
3. 〜っぱなし
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comments

Q: What is the difference between “〜まま” and “〜っぱなし”?

A: Both “〜まま” and “〜っぱなし” indicate that the same state continues without change, but they have different perspectives.

〜まま (JLPT N4)

[Meaning]
Indicates that after action or state A is completed, action B occurs without changing that state.

[Rules]　
[V] Verb (past or non-past form) + まま
[A] い adjective + まま
[Na] な adjective + まま
[N] Nounの + まま

[Examples]
窓まどを開あけたまま寝ねてしまいました。
I slept with the window open.
⇒ I slept without changing the state of the open window.
(There is no particular problem, and the speaker does not feel dissatisfied)

そのお菓子かしは冷つめたいまま食たべた方ほうがおいしいよ。
That sweet tastes better when eaten while it’s still cold.
⇒ It’s best to eat it without changing its cold state.

祖母そぼにはずっと元気げんきなままでいてほしいです。
I hope my grandmother stays healthy and energetic forever.
⇒ The speaker hopes that the grandmother’s good health continues.

この野菜やさいは生なまのまま食たべることができます。
You can eat these vegetables raw.
⇒ The speaker is positive about eating without altering the “raw” state.

“〜まま” is used to emphasize that after something has been done, the resulting state remains unchanged.
In other words, it describes a situation where the state created by action A continues as it is.
The speaker has a neutral or positive feeling toward this continued state.
Thus, “〜まま” conveys an image of maintaining a state rather than neglecting it.
In most cases, the speaker feels no dissatisfaction and implies that “there is no problem with leaving it as it is.”

In addition, “〜まま” is used when the next action (B) occurs while the usual or expected action or change has not taken place.
For this reason, it cannot be used in sentences like the following.

[Examples]
× 電気でんきを消けしたまま寝ねてしまいました。
⇒ It is common to turn off the lights before going to bed, so this usage is incorrect.

◯ 弟おとうとは目めを少すこし開あけたまま寝ねています。
My younger brother is sleeping with his eyes slightly open.
⇒ “Sleeping with your eyes open” is not common, so this is correct.

〜っぱなし (JLPT N3)

[Meaning]
Indicates the continuation of an action, but is used when, after action A, a necessary step or follow-up action is neglected and the undesirable state or action of A continues

[Rule]　
[V] Verb stem + っぱなし

[Examples]
窓まどを開あけっぱなしで寝ねてしまいました。
I slept with the window wide open.
⇒ I slept after neglecting to close the window.
(As a result, I caught a cold, etc., and the speaker feels dissatisfied)

洋服ようふくの値札ねふだが付つけっぱなしになっているよ。
The price tag is still attached to your clothes.
⇒ This is the result of neglecting to remove the price tag.

“〜っぱなし” expresses a state in which, after an action has been completed, its result is left unattended.
It often carries a negative nuance, implying that “the action that should normally follow was not taken” or “something was left as it is.”

[Examples]
テレビをつけっぱなしで出でかけました。
I went out with the TV still on.


コップを出だしっぱなしにしないでください。
Please don’t leave the cups out.

Let’s Compare

Let’s look at some examples.

[Examples]
◯ テレビをつけたままです。
The TV is left on.
⇒ The result of the action “turning on the TV” remains, so this sentence is correct.
The speaker feels no dissatisfaction about leaving the TV on.
(= It expresses a neutral or positive continuation of a state.)

◯ テレビがつけっぱなしです。
The TV is left on.
⇒ It shows the result of neglecting the action “turning off the TV.”
There is a nuance of dissatisfaction or mild criticism toward the fact that the TV remains on.
(= It expresses a negative nuance toward a “neglected state.”)

[Examples]
×  一日中いちにちじゅう歩あるいたままで疲つかれました。
⇒ The verb “walk” does not leave a resulting state, so “〜まま” cannot be used.
Also, it is unnatural to use “〜まま” in a sentence expressing dissatisfaction or fatigue such as “I got tired.”

◯ 一日中いちにちじゅう歩あるきっぱなしで疲つかれました。
I am tired from walking all day.
⇒ This expresses that the action “walking” continued for a long time, and as a result, the speaker feels tired or exhausted.
Therefore, “〜っぱなし” is natural and appropriate in this sentence.

Summary

[〜まま]

• Expresses the continuation of a certain state in a neutral or positive way.
• Focuses on a present state that continues without change.
• Used only when the result of an action remains.
• Also used when the next action occurs while the expected or necessary change or action has not taken place.

[〜っぱなし]

• Expresses a continuing state after an action has been performed but left unattended, often with a negative nuance.
• Used when the result of the action does not remain.
• It often implies the speaker’s dissatisfaction, regret, or mild disapproval toward the continued or neglected state.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

---