Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 7: 16/17

(まく)

Like crazy, Keep doing (without a second thought), Nothing but, On and on, Do … all around, To do a lot of, One after another, All over, Keep, Everything, Constantly, All the time

まくる is also sometimes used as a noun, using Verb[ます]+ まくり + だ pattern

Structure Legend

Structure

Verb[ます(*) + まくる
Verb[て]+ Verb[て]+ Verb[ます(*) + まくる

(*) Verb has to be volitional (can be controlled by the will of a doer)

Details

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    Standard

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    一般

About まくる

まくる is a verb that will be attached to the conjunctive form of other verbs in order to show that (A) is being done over and over, a lot, or with a great amount of vigor. It comes from the verb う-Verb (まく)る 'to roll', or 'to turn', so means 'to do (A) around and again'. Common translations include 'to (A) like crazy', 'to do nothing but (A)', and 'to constantly do (A)'.
As mentioned, this structure will attach to the conjunctive form of other verbs.
  • 昨日(きのう)釣具屋(つりぐや)でルアーを()まくったから、来週(らいしゅう)までご(はん)とふりかけで我慢(がまん)しなきゃいけない。
    I bought a bunch of lures at the tackle shop yesterday, so I have put up with eating rice and furikake until next week.
  • (ひさ)しぶりに実家(じっか)(かえ)って、(はは)料理(りょうり)()まくってるから(すこ)(ふと)ってきた。
    I have started to gain some weight because I've been eating so much of my mom's food, ever since I came to visit my family after a long time.
  • 昨日(きのう)はカラオケで(うた)まくったから、(こえ)全然(ぜんぜん)でない。
    I sang like crazy at the karaoke last night, so I lost my voice.
This structure may be used both in positive or negative contexts, and it is quite common for the nuance of まくる to indicate that (A) is being done recklessly, or with abandon. This implies that the speaker isn't thinking about the consequences of doing (A) repeatedly, if any may exist.
Caution
The (A) verb must be something that is volitional, meaning that the speaker must have control over it and its repetition.
  • しゃっくりが()まくりすぎて(くや)しい。
    I am having a hard time breathing because I am hiccuping like crazy. (Unnatural Japanese)

Examples

  • はやせなおと(くる)ったように(おど)って(おど)って(おど)まくっ

    Hayase and Naoto danced like crazy.

    Repeating the verb in the て-form is used for the additional emphasis.

  • 最近(さいきん)、チョコ()まくっているからちょっと(ふと)。」

    'I've been eating chocolate like crazy lately, so I've gained some weight.'

  • うざき「ゴールデンウィーク(なん)用事(ようじ)ある?」
    くらいせっかくだから毎日(まいにち)(あさ)から(ばん)までゲームやりまくりたいんだ。」

    Uzaki: 'Do you have plans for the golden week? '
    Sakurai: 'It's a rare opportunity, so I want to play games every day like crazy, from dusk till dawn.'

  • 「まさはるさん新車(しんしゃ)購入(こうにゅう)から毎日(まいにち)()まくってるらしい。」

    'I heard that Masaharu-san bought a new car and has been driving it all the time, every single day.'

  • 「よしこって(しゃべ)のが大好(だいす)。ベラベラしゃべりまくから彼女(かのじょ)には我慢(がまん)できない。」

    'Yoshiko loves to talk. She talks nonstop, like crazy so I can't stand her.'

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まくる – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

  • Redglare

    Redglare

    About 1 year ago

    I was scratching my head over what this was supposed to mean, but I think I found the answer. Seems like I wasn’t the only one confused about “volitional verbs”.

  • mrnoone

    mrnoone

    About 1 year ago

    Hey @Redglare

    I have modified the structure a bit, what do you think?

    Cheers!

    ps Cute avatar

  • Redglare

    Redglare

    About 1 year ago

    Hi! Looks good to me, now it is clearer what volitional means. Thank you!

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