Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 5: 4/22

～ても構(かま)わない

It doesn't matter if, I don't mind

Structure

Verb［ても］+ かまわない
［い］Adjective［ても］+ かまわない
［な］Adjective + でも + かまわない
Noun + でも + かまわない

Details

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    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About てもかまわない

ても構(かま)わない is often used to express that something 'doesn't matter', or that the speaker 'doesn't mind'. This structure is a combination of ても (with verbs and い-Adjectives), or でも (with nouns and な-Adjectives) grouped with the negative conjugation of the う - Verb 構(かま)う, which means 'to brace'. Literally, this expression can be thought of as being similar to 'to not be uptight'. However, it is almost always simply used to convey that there is no issue with something.

ても構(かま)わない may be used with any type of word that appears in its ても or でも conjugation form.

Fun Fact

構(かま)う is usually translated as 'to brace', but the kanji 構(かま) often has the nuance of 'to posture', or 'to pose' (into some type of strong/resistant shape). In the ても構(かま)わない grammar structure, this translates as (A) simply being something that will not cause the speaker to 'posture', 'position', or 'pose' themselves in a resistant way.

Examples

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    暇(ひま)な時(とき)はゲームをやっても構(かま)わない。

    It doesn't matter (even) if you play games when you have free time.

    お金(かね)が無(な)くても構(かま)わない。だって、彼(かれ)のことが大好(だいす)きだから。

    It doesn't matter (even) if he doesn't have money, because I love him.

    費用(ひよう)はいくらかかっても構(かま)わない。とにかく買(か)ってきてくれ。

    It doesn't matter how much it costs. Just go buy it for me. (even if)

    うまくいかなくても構(かま)わない。やってみることが大切(たいせつ)だ。

    It doesn't matter (even) if it won't go well. It's important to try.

    濡(ぬ)れても構(かま)いません。革靴(かわぐつ)ではないですから。

    I don't mind (even if) they get wet. These are not leather shoes.

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てもかまわない – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • rikvg

    rikvg

    I absolutely love the little paragraph at the bottom giving the link to 構う and the literal translation. This paragraph makes it infinitely easier for me to understand the grammar point. I wish more grammar points did this.

  • casual

    casual

    When the article says “構う is usually translated as ‘to brace’”, doesn’t it actually mean 構える?

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