JLPT N4 grammar comparison
〜ておく "do in advance / leave as is" vs 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"
By Nihongo PathUpdated
The difference
From the 〜ておく "do in advance / leave as is" lesson
〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state": まま describes a state left unchanged, often carelessly (電気をつけたまま寝た). ておく is a deliberate choice to leave it.
From the 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state" lesson
〜ておく "do in advance / leave as is": ておく is deliberate (leave it on for a reason). たまま is neutral or careless (it just stayed that way).
Side by side
〜ておく "do in advance / leave as is"
te oku · JLPT N4
- Meaning
- Do something in preparation for the future, or leave a state as it is.
- Formation
V-て + おく: 予約しておく, 買っておく, 読んでおくPolite: 〜ておきます; request: 〜ておいてくださいCasual contraction: 〜ておく → 〜とく (買っとく), 〜でおく → 〜どく (読んどく)おく is written in kana in this use
旅行の前に、ホテルを予約しておきます。
りょこうの まえに、ホテルを よやくしておきます。
I'll book the hotel before the trip.
窓を開けておいてください。
まどを あけておいてください。
Please leave the window open.
〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"
ta mama · JLPT N4
- Meaning
- A state remains unchanged while another action happens (often something that should have been changed).
- Formation
V-た + まま: つけたまま, 開けたまま, 座ったままV-ない + まま: 何も食べないままNoun + のまま: 靴のまま, そのままな-adjective + なまま: きれいなまま; い-adjective + まま: 熱いまま
電気をつけたまま寝てしまった。
でんきを つけたまま ねてしまった。
I fell asleep with the light on.
窓を開けたまま出かけないでください。
まどを あけたまま でかけないでください。
Don't go out leaving the window open.
Full lesson on 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 〜ておく "do in advance / leave as is" and 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state"?
まま describes a state left unchanged, often carelessly (電気をつけたまま寝た). ておく is a deliberate choice to leave it.
When do you use 〜たまま "as it is / leaving something in a state" instead of 〜ておく "do in advance / leave as is"?
ておく is deliberate (leave it on for a reason). たまま is neutral or careless (it just stayed that way).