構かまう

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).

• 少すこしくらい汚よごれても構かまわない。

  It doesn't matter if it gets a little dirty.

• 彼かれが来くるかどうかは構かまわない。

  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.

• お客きゃく様さまをかまうのに忙いそがしい。

  I'm busy looking after the guests.

• 彼かれは弟おとうとをよくかまって遊あそんでいる。

  He often spends time playing with his little brother.

godan verb (-u), intransitive verb

interfere; meddle in

Intransitive use with に: to stick one's nose into something, often with a negative connotation.

• 人ひとのことに構かまうな。

  Don't meddle in other people's affairs.

• 彼かれはいつも私わたしの仕し事ごとに構かまってくる。

  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.

• 猫ねこをかまって遊あそぶ。

  I tease the cat and play with it.

• 弟おとうとはいつも私わたしをかまって困こまらせる。

  My little brother always teases me and annoys me.

godan verb (-u), transitive verb

banish; prohibit

Archaic transitive use: to forbid or drive away. Not used in modern Japanese.

• 古こ文ぶんでは「構かまう」を「禁きん止しする」の意い味みで使つかうことがある。

  In classical texts, 構う can be used to mean 'to prohibit'.