godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
mind; care about; be concerned about
Often used in negative or conditional forms (e.g., 構わない, 構わなければ) to express that something does not bother the speaker or is not an issue.
See also: 構わない
遅れても構いません。
I don't mind if you're late.
彼は他人の目をまったく構わない。
He doesn't care at all about what others think.
godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
matter; be an issue; create inconvenience
Used when something is of consequence or causes trouble. Often appears in the set phrase 構わない (it doesn't matter).
少しくらい汚れても構わない。
It doesn't matter if it gets a little dirty.
彼が来るかどうかは構わない。
Whether he comes or not doesn't matter.
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
keep company; look after; spend time with
Transitive use: to take care of someone, entertain a guest, or pay friendly attention. Usually written in kana.
お客様をかまうのに忙しい。
I'm busy looking after the guests.
彼は弟をよくかまって遊んでいる。
He often spends time playing with his little brother.
godan verb (-u), intransitive verb
Intransitive use with に: to stick one's nose into something, often with a negative connotation.
人のことに構うな。
Don't meddle in other people's affairs.
彼はいつも私の仕事に構ってくる。
He always interferes with my work.
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
tease; mess with
Transitive use: to tease or playfully bother someone, often in a light-hearted or affectionate way.
猫をかまって遊ぶ。
I tease the cat and play with it.
弟はいつも私をかまって困らせる。
My little brother always teases me and annoys me.
godan verb (-u), transitive verb
Archaic transitive use: to forbid or drive away. Not used in modern Japanese.
古文では「構う」を「禁止する」の意味で使うことがある。
In classical texts, 構う can be used to mean 'to prohibit'.