# まくる: to do over and over again; to do relentlessly

> Learn how to use まくる, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning to do over and over again, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-makuru/

**まくる** means **to do over and over again; to do relentlessly**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that an action is performed repeatedly, without pause, and often to an excessive degree.

This grammar point often appears in casual speech, fiction, and informal writing. If you want to describe that someone is doing something nonstop, almost like a machine, まくる is the perfect choice because it adds a vivid, colloquial energy that a simple “<ruby>何度<rp>(</rp><rt>なんど</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>も” can’t match.

<div class="pullquote">
  Think of まくる as a volume knob: it turns a regular verb into an intense, unstoppable stream of action.
</div>

## What does まくる mean?

Use **まくる** when you want to express that an action is repeated over and over, without stopping, often with a sense of wildness or lack of restraint.

Natural translations include:
- to do over and over again
- to do relentlessly
- to do … nonstop
- to do … like crazy

The nuance is always one of volume and intensity. The speaker isn't just saying "I did it repeatedly"; they're emphasizing the relentless nature of the action. This pattern is overwhelmingly used in **casual, spoken Japanese** and is rarely appropriate for formal writing or business contexts.

## How to form まくる

Attach まくる directly to the **verb stem (masu-stem)** of any action verb.

<div class="formation">
  <div class="formula">
    <span class="ftoken t-stem">verb stem</span>
    <span class="fplus">+</span>
    <span class="ftoken t-core">まくる</span>
  </div>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>食べる<rp>(</rp><rt>たべる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> → <ruby>食べ<rp>(</rp><rt>たべ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>**まくる** (eat like crazy)
- <ruby>飲む<rp>(</rp><rt>のむ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> → <ruby>飲み<rp>(</rp><rt>のみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>**まくる** (drink heavily)
- <ruby>遊ぶ<rp>(</rp><rt>あそぶ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> → <ruby>遊び<rp>(</rp><rt>あそび</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>**まくる** (play nonstop)
- <ruby>書く<rp>(</rp><rt>かく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> → <ruby>書き<rp>(</rp><rt>かき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>**まくる** (write furiously)

The stem form is essential — JLPT traps sometimes test whether you mistakenly attach まくる to the dictionary form or the て-form. Remember: it’s always the masu-stem.

## When is まくる used?

Use **まくる** in situations like:
- describing a binge of eating, drinking, gaming, studying, etc.
- emphasizing that an activity went on much longer or more intensely than normal
- adding a slightly rough, masculine flair to casual speech (though women also use it in informal settings)
- storytelling among friends: “<ruby>昨日<rp>(</rp><rt>きのう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>はマンガを<ruby>読み<rp>(</rp><rt>よみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まくって<ruby>寝不足<rp>(</rp><rt>ねふそく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だよ。”

Tone and register:
- **Strongly casual / colloquial** — sounds out of place in keigo or polite writing.
- Conveys a sense of “going all out” — often positive when talking about a hobby, negative when talking about overwork, but always energetic.
- Frequently heard in manga, anime, and natural conversations.

## まくる example sentences

<div class="examples">
  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby class="furi"><ruby>昨日<rp>(</rp><rt>きのう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>きのう</rt></ruby>、<ruby class="furi"><ruby>一晩中<rp>(</rp><rt>いちばんちゅう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>ひとばんじゅう</rt></ruby>ゲームをやり<strong>まくった</strong>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">Last night I played video games nonstop all night.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">casual</span>
      <span class="example-tag">excessive</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby class="furi"><ruby>彼<rp>(</rp><rt>かれ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby class="furi"><ruby>毎日<rp>(</rp><rt>まいにち</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>まいにち</rt></ruby>ラーメンを<ruby class="furi"><ruby>食<rp>(</rp><rt>しょく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>た</rt></ruby>べ<strong>まくっている</strong>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">He eats ramen like crazy every single day.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">habit</span>
      <span class="example-tag">excessive</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby class="furi"><ruby>試験<rp>(</rp><rt>しけん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>前<rp>(</rp><rt>まえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>しけんまえ</rt></ruby>は<ruby class="furi"><ruby>徹夜<rp>(</rp><rt>てつや</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>てつや</rt></ruby>で<ruby class="furi"><ruby>勉強<rp>(</rp><rt>べんきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>べんきょう</rt></ruby>し<strong>まくった</strong>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">Before the exam I studied relentlessly, pulling all-nighters.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">determination</span>
      <span class="example-tag">intense</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      コンサートで<ruby class="furi"><ruby>写真<rp>(</rp><rt>しゃしん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>しゃしん</rt></ruby>を<ruby class="furi"><ruby>撮<rp>(</rp><rt>つまみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>と</rt></ruby>り<strong>まくった</strong>ので、<ruby class="furi"><ruby>携帯<rp>(</rp><rt>けいたい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>けいたい</rt></ruby>の<ruby class="furi"><ruby>容量<rp>(</rp><rt>ようりょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>ようりょう</rt></ruby>がなくなった。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">I snapped photos nonstop at the concert, so my phone ran out of storage.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">casual</span>
      <span class="example-tag">excessive</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      <ruby class="furi"><ruby>新<rp>(</rp><rt>しん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>あたら</rt></ruby>しいゲームを<ruby class="furi"><ruby>買<rp>(</rp><rt>かい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>か</rt></ruby>ってからずっと<ruby class="furi"><ruby>遊<rp>(</rp><rt>ゆう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>あそ</rt></ruby>び<strong>まくって</strong>いる。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">Since I bought the new game I’ve been playing it nonstop.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">ongoing</span>
      <span class="example-tag">excitement</span>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="example">
    <div class="example-jp">
      ストレスがたまっていて、<ruby class="furi"><ruby>無意味<rp>(</rp><rt>むいみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>むいみ</rt></ruby>に<ruby class="furi"><ruby>動画<rp>(</rp><rt>どうが</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>どうが</rt></ruby>を<ruby class="furi"><ruby>見<rp>(</rp><rt>み</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><rt>み</rt></ruby><strong>まくった</strong>。
    </div>
    <div class="example-en">Stressed out, I binge-watched videos for no reason.</div>
    <div class="example-foot">
      <span class="example-tag">emotion</span>
      <span class="example-tag">binge</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Nuance of まくる

The key nuance is **relentless, excessive, and often unstoppable action**. It’s not just repetition; it’s the kind of repetition that feels out of control, or at least remarkably intense.

<div class="note-callout">
  <div class="note-icon">💡</div>
  <div class="note-body">
    <strong>Think of a machine gun, not a metronome.</strong> まくる suggests volleys of action one after another with no downtime. The emotion behind it can be excitement, frustration, obsession, or just a lack of moderation — the speaker wants you to grasp the <em>volume</em> of the activity.
  </div>
</div>

Because of this, まくる carries a slightly raw, rough-and-ready feel. It’s common among younger speakers and in situations where you don’t need to be polite. In a formal report, you’d never say “データを<ruby>分析<rp>(</rp><rt>ぶんせき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しまくった”; you’d use “<ruby>何度<rp>(</rp><rt>なんど</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>も<ruby>分析<rp>(</rp><rt>ぶんせき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した” or “<ruby>徹底的<rp>(</rp><rt>てっていてき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>分析<rp>(</rp><rt>ぶんせき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>した”.

## まくる vs つづける

Both **まくる** and **つづける** can express ongoing action, but their attitudes are poles apart.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">まくる</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Relentless, sometimes out-of-control repetition</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Use when you want to stress that the action was done over and over to an excessive degree, often with a “wild” or “unstoppable” flavor.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg">ゲームをやりまくって<ruby>寝<rp>(</rp><rt>ね</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>なかった。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">I played games nonstop and didn’t sleep.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">vs</div>
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="cmp-head">つづける</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">Intentional, steady continuation</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Use when you simply want to say that an action is continuing, without any implication of loss of control or excess. It’s neutral and fits all registers.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg">ゲームを<ruby>続け<rp>(</rp><rt>つづけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ている。</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">I’m continuing the game.</div>
  </div>
</div>

In short: まくる adds **intensity**, つづける adds **duration**. If a friend says “ビールを<ruby>飲み<rp>(</rp><rt>のみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まくった” you picture them downing mugs one after another at a party. If they say “ビールを<ruby>飲み<rp>(</rp><rt>のみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>続け<rp>(</rp><rt>つづけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た” you just know they kept drinking, maybe quietly over a long dinner.

## Common mistakes with まくる

<div class="mistakes">
  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mline-body">
        <span class="mark bad">❌</span> <ruby>社長<rp>(</rp><rt>しゃちょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>の<ruby>前<rp>(</rp><rt>まえ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で「お<ruby>酒<rp>(</rp><rt>さけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>飲み<rp>(</rp><rt>のみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まくりました」と<ruby>言っ<rp>(</rp><rt>いっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。
        <span class="note">Too casual for a formal or keigo situation — sounds disrespectful.</span>
      </div>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <span class="mark good">✅</span> <ruby>同僚<rp>(</rp><rt>どうりょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>との<ruby>飲み会<rp>(</rp><rt>のみかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で「<ruby>昨日<rp>(</rp><rt>きのう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>飲み<rp>(</rp><rt>のみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まくって<ruby>二日<rp>(</rp><rt>ふたか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>酔い<rp>(</rp><rt>よい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>だよ」と<ruby>言っ<rp>(</rp><rt>いっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>た。
        <span class="note">Perfect for a relaxed conversation with peers.</span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mline-body">
        <span class="mark bad">❌</span> <ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>降り<rp>(</rp><rt>ふり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>まくっている。
        <span class="note"><ruby>降る<rp>(</rp><rt>ふる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (to fall, for rain) is not a volitional action; まくる sounds unnatural with uncontrollable natural phenomena.</span>
      </div>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <span class="mark good">✅</span> <ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がずっと<ruby>降っ<rp>(</rp><rt>ふっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ている。
        <span class="note">Use standard continuative forms for non-volitional events.</span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="mistake">
    <div class="mline">
      <div class="mline-body">
        <span class="mark bad">❌</span> <ruby>日本語<rp>(</rp><rt>にっぽんご</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>勉強<rp>(</rp><rt>べんきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しまくっているけど、<ruby>上手<rp>(</rp><rt>じょうず</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にならない。
        <span class="note">While grammatically possible, まくる on a serious, long-term effort can sound slightly dismissive — as if you’re studying frantically but not effectively.</span>
      </div>
      <div class="mline-body">
        <span class="mark good">✅</span> <ruby>日本語<rp>(</rp><rt>にっぽんご</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>必死<rp>(</rp><rt>ひっし</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>勉強<rp>(</rp><rt>べんきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しているけど、<ruby>上手<rp>(</rp><rt>じょうず</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>にならない。
        <span class="note">A more natural way to express intense study without the flippant tone.</span>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

## Is まくる on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <strong>Level:</strong> N1<br/>
    <strong>Frequency:</strong> Moderate — appears in reading passages and occasionally in listening comprehension as part of casual dialogue.<br/>
    <strong>Test section:</strong> Reading／<ruby>聴解<rp>(</rp><rt>ちょうかい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>
  </div>
  <div class="jlpt-checks">
    <span>✓ Recognize in context</span>
    <span>✓ Understand the nuance of excess</span>
    <span>✓ Use it naturally in informal speech</span>
  </div>
</div>

On the N1 test, you’re most likely to encounter まくる in reading texts that depict everyday life or informal conversations — think letters, blogs, or dialogue between friends. They’ll often test whether you can grasp the speaker’s attitude: excitement, frustration, or just a lack of moderation. As long as you remember “relentless, excessive, casual,” you’ll nail the questions.

## Practice questions for まくる

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">1</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Describe the last time you ate or drank way too much using まくる.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">personal experience</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">2</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Your friend is obsessed with a new hobby. Write a one-sentence warning that uses まくる.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">advice</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">3</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">You binged a drama all weekend. Tell your Japanese friend about it with まくる.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">storytelling</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">4</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Explain why まくる would be inappropriate in a business email, and rephrase the same idea politely.</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">register</div>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <div class="prompt-num">5</div>
    <div class="prompt-text">Compare まくる and つづける using your own example. Under what circumstances would you choose each?</div>
    <div class="prompt-tag">comparison</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Learning path for まくる

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">1</div>
    <div class="step-body">Drill the formation: pick ten common verbs and write their まくる forms from memory.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">2</div>
    <div class="step-body">Contrast it with つづける by writing two parallel sentences for the same action, one neutral and one wild.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">3</div>
    <div class="step-body">Listen for まくる in anime, YouTube vlogs, or casual podcasts — notice the speaker’s tone every time it appears.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">4</div>
    <div class="step-body">Create a short diary entry in Japanese about a day when you really overdid something (studying, gaming, eating). Use まくる twice and get a native‑level check if possible.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <div class="step-num">5</div>
    <div class="step-body">Review related N1 patterns (below) to see how they handle similar expressions of intensity or completeness — this will sharpen your sense of register.</div>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [まみれ](/blog/n1-mamire/) — describes being covered in something undesirable (physical mess), often shares the “excess” nuance.
- [まじき](/blog/n1-majiki/) — “should not, unworthy of” — useful for contrasting formal judgment with the casual intensity of まくる.
- [まるっきり](/blog/n1-marukkiri/) — “completely (not)” — a strong negative that, like まくる, conveys a sense of totality, but in the opposite direction.
- [までもない／までもなく](/blog/n1-made-mo-nai-made-mo-naku/) — “there’s no need to even…” — a formal pattern for setting boundaries, a world away from the unrestrained まくる.

## Learn まくる with Hane

If you want to review **まくる** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Drill formation, compare nuances, and get contextual feedback — all in one place.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)