Grammar Info

N1 Lesson 7: 16/17

捲(まく)る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

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

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 捲(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.

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.

  • しゃっくりが出(で)まくりすぎて苦(くる)しい。
    I am having a hard time breathing because I am hiccuping like crazy. (Unnatural Japanese)

Examples

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    はやせとなおとは狂(くる)ったように踊(おど)って踊(おど)って踊(おど)りまくった。

    Hayase and Naoto danced like crazy.

    「最近(さいきん)、チョコを食(た)べまくっているからちょっと太(ふと)った。」

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

    締(し)め切(き)りが近(ちか)いから、原稿(げんこう)を書(か)きまくった。

    Because the deadline is close, I was writing the draft like crazy.

      時間(じかん)さえあれば走(はし)りまくっている彼(かれ)の足(あし)はたくましいです。

      He, who runs like crazy so long as he has time, has strong legs.

        ストレス発散(はっさん)でメイク道具(どうぐ)を買(か)いまくったせいで金欠(きんけつ)になった。

        Due to buying makeup goods one after the other to relieve stress, I have no money.

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        まくる – Grammar Discussion

        Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

        • Redglare

          Redglare

          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

          Hey @Redglare

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

          Cheers!

          ps Cute avatar

        • Redglare

          Redglare

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

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