構います（かまいます、kamaiまsu）
- to care

The Japanese verb 構います, pronounced かまいます (kamaimasu), generally translates to "to mind," "to care about," "to bother about," or "to be concerned about." Its meaning revolves around showing interest or concern, often in a negative context, implying that something is either not important or that one does not mind a particular situation. It suggests a lack of worry or concern. It can also mean "to allow," "to permit," or "to not object to" something. The meaning often depends on the context of the sentence. The core idea is about paying attention to something or allowing something to happen.

⚫︎そんなこと、構いません Translation: I don't mind that / It doesn't bother me. ⚫︎少しぐらい遅れても構いません Translation: It's okay if you're a little late. ⚫︎遠慮なくどうぞ、構いませんよ Translation: Please feel free to do so, it's alright / It's perfectly fine.

⚫︎構います is a polite form of the verb. You use it in situations where you want to express that something doesn't bother you or you don't mind something. ⚫︎ It is often used in response to requests or questions about whether something is acceptable. ⚫︎It can also be used to indicate that you will allow or permit something to happen. ⚫︎The negative form, 構いません, is used frequently, while the affirmative form is less so. ⚫︎ In casual situations, it's often shortened to 構わない (kama-wanai) or 構わん (kama-wan). The casual form also has a negative form 構わない (kama-wanai). ⚫︎ It is commonly used in business situations and polite conversation. ⚫︎The more formal form is 構いません or 構いかねます (kamaikaneimasu). This expression is used in a case of negative sense. ⚫︎ Consider the context and formality when choosing to use [構います].

⚫︎ The base form is 構う (kamau). ⚫︎ The polite form is 構います (kamaimasu). ⚫︎ It's written in hiragana as かまいます. ⚫︎ The kanji is 構, but it's rarely used to write the entire word. ⚫︎ The okurigana (suffix hiragana) is usually います for the polite form.

⚫︎ 気にする (ki ni suru) - To mind, to be concerned about. (can be positive or negative) ⚫︎ 恐れない (osore-nai) - To not be afraid of. ⚫︎ 拘らない (かかわらない - kakawaranai) - Not to be concerned about. ⚫︎ 支障がない (shishou ga nai) - There is no problem. ⚫︎ 大丈夫 (daijoubu) - It's okay, it's alright.

⚫︎ 気にする (ki ni suru) - To mind, to be concerned about. ⚫︎ 心配する (shinpai suru) - To worry. ⚫︎ 困る (komaru) - To be troubled, to be in trouble. ⚫︎ 問題にする (mondai ni suru) - To make an issue of.

明日、雨が降っても構いませんか？ ・Translation: Do you mind if it rains tomorrow? / Is it okay if it rains tomorrow? ・Explanation: This sentence inquires whether the other person is bothered by the possibility of rain. The use of [構います] indicates a concern for the other person’s feelings or plans regarding the rain.

写真撮影は構いませんが、フラッシュは使わないでください。 ・Translation: You can take photos, but please don't use flash. ・Explanation: This sentence uses [構います] to give permission for taking photos while also setting a condition. The speaker doesn't mind the action itself, but does mind a specific aspect (the flash).

The verb 構う (kamau) comes from the old Japanese word 構う (kamu), which originally meant "to pay attention," "to care for," or "to look after." Over time, it evolved to encompass the nuances of not minding or not caring about something. The addition of the polite suffix ます (-masu) creates the formal verb [構います]. The kanji 構 has a meaning related to structure, framework, or to prepare, but its application in this word is semantic rather than directly related to its meaning in the context of "caring" or "minding."