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 “何度も” can’t match.
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.
Examples of the pattern:
- 食べる → 食べまくる (eat like crazy)
- 飲む → 飲みまくる (drink heavily)
- 遊ぶ → 遊びまくる (play nonstop)
- 書く → 書きまくる (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: “昨日はマンガを読みまくって寝不足だよ。”
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
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.
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 “データを分析しまくった”; you’d use “何度も分析した” or “徹底的に分析した”.
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.
In short: まくる adds intensity, つづける adds duration. If a friend says “ビールを飲みまくった” you picture them downing mugs one after another at a party. If they say “ビールを飲み続けた” you just know they kept drinking, maybe quietly over a long dinner.
Common mistakes with まくる
Is まくる on the JLPT?
Frequency: Moderate — appears in reading passages and occasionally in listening comprehension as part of casual dialogue.
Test section: Reading／聴解
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
Learning path for まくる
Related grammar to review next
- まみれ — describes being covered in something undesirable (physical mess), often shares the “excess” nuance.
- まじき — “should not, unworthy of” — useful for contrasting formal judgment with the casual intensity of まくる.
- まるっきり — “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 — “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.
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FAQ about まくる
What does まくる mean in Japanese?
まくる means “to do over and over again; to do relentlessly” in Japanese. It is an N1 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is まくる on the JLPT?
まくる is taught as N1 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N1 patterns.
How should I practice まくる?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after まくる, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.