as one pleases; as one is told; wherever one's feet take one; according to
Used after nouns or verbs to mean 'as', 'in accordance with', or 'leaving things as they are'. Often appears in set phrases like 足の向くままに or 言われるままに. The cross-reference to まま (sense 3) indicates this is the adverbial form of まま.
See also: まま
I walked wherever my feet took me.
He paid the money as he was told.
I want to live as the wind blows.
まま is a noun meaning 'state' or 'condition'; ままに is its adverbial form used in phrases like 'as it is' or 'in accordance with'.
Applies to each form listed below
Rare kanji form; not recommended for learners.
Rare kanji form; not recommended for learners.
The adverbial form of まま, a native Japanese word meaning 'state' or 'condition'. The kanji 儘 and 随 are ateji and rarely used.