構う

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

• (Tokyo) かま​う [kàmáꜜù] (Nakadaka – [2])
• IPA^(key): [ka̠ma̠ɯ̟ᵝ]

構(かま)う • (kamau) ^{←かまふ (kamafu)?}transitive or intransitive godan (stem 構(かま)い (kamai), past 構(かま)った (kamatta))

1. (chiefly in the negative) to care about; to mind

   Synonym: 気にする (ki ni suru)

   構(かま)いません。

   Kamaimasen.

   It doesn't matter.

   (literally, “I don't mind.”)

   時(じ)間(かん)にかまわず押(お)しかけて来(く)る。

   Jikan ni kamawazu oshikakete kuru.

   [They] come visit [us] without caring about the time.

2. (chiefly in the negative) to cause inconvenience or trouble by getting involved in other matters; to interfere, hinder

   費(ひ)用(よう)がかかっても構(かま)いませんか。

   Hiyō ga kakatte mo kamaimasen ka.

   Would it be okay if the cost is incurred?

3. to take care of, look after

   私(わたし)のことなんか誰(だれ)もかまってくれない。

   Watashi no koto nanka dare mo kamatte kurenai.

   No one cares about me.

   (literally, “No one takes care of my things for me.”)

   かまってほしい。

   Kamatte hoshii.

   I want [you to] take care of me.

4. to tease, make fun of, or play with weaker people or animals

   Synonym: からかう (karakau)

   猫(ねこ)をかまう ― neko o kamau ― to play with a cat

5. (historical, law enforcement) (in the Edo period) to execute お構い (okamai): to banish, exile
6. to restrain, confine, imprison

   Synonyms: 禁制する (kinsei suru), 監禁する (kankin suru)

7. (Tōkai–Tōsan) to make somebody bully oneself; to be bullied

   Synonym: 苛められる (ijimerareru)

   俺(おれ)をめたかまっちょ。

   Ore o meta kamatcho.

   I'll bother you like crazy.

8. (cant) to go to prison

   Synonym: 入獄する (nyūgoku suru)

• This term is usually written in kanji in formal or technical contexts (e.g., in a newspaper or in official documentation). In informal contexts, however, it is generally written in hiragana, as かまう.

• 構(かま)い (kamai, noun)
• 構(かま)ってちゃん (kamattechan, “attention-seeker”)
• 構(かま)わない (kamawanai, phrase)