儘
as it is, because
Readings
On'yomi
- ジン
Kun'yomi
- まま
- ことごとく
Meaning
儘 centers on leaving things unchanged or following a state as it is, often with a sense of letting something be or acting in accordance with circumstances. The 'because' meaning extends from this idea of things being as they are and thus causing a result.
Most common words using 儘
- 我儘わがままN3
selfish; egoist
- 儘ならないままならない
unable to do (as one wishes); able to do only with great effort; almost impossible to do; beyond one's control; not always turning out as one wishes; not going the way one wants it to
- 儘ならぬままならぬ
unable to do (as one wishes); able to do only with great effort; almost impossible to do; beyond one's control; not always turning out as one wishes; not going the way one wants it to
- 儘よままよ
whatever; never mind; I don't care; the hell with it
- 気随気儘きずいきまま
as one pleases
- 自儘じまま
selfish(ness)
Study
Etymology
儘 combines 亻 (person) with 盡 (exhaust, use up), which likely contributes both sound and the idea of reaching a final state. The exact historical development of the meaning 'as it is' from these components is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
A person 亻 beside 盡 (exhaust, use up) suggests someone who has exhausted all options and now accepts things as they are, leaving them unchanged.
Reading mnemonic
For ジン, imagine a person accepting things as they are while drinking a gin and tonic: gin -> ジン, and the relaxed acceptance matches the meaning.