Japanese grammar
What does ～ても構わない mean? Japanese grammar N4
～ても構わない means it's fine even if ~ (I don't mind).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | V て + も構わない いAdj くて + も構わない なAdj／N で + も構わない V ない (drop ない) + なくても構わない |
| Romaji | ~ te mo kamawanai |
| Meaning | it's fine even if ~ (I don't mind) |
Forming it
| Polite | ～ても構いません |
|---|---|
| Negative | ～なくても構いません (it's also fine not to do it) |
| Kanji spelling | 構わない (かまわない) — the formal written form, often seen in written text |
| Asking for permission | ～ても構いませんか (is it okay if I ~?) |
How to use it
Stating that you accept a condition yourself, or giving permission in a neutral way.
- This is the same pattern as N4-087; here the focus is on two advanced uses: (a) stating a condition you accept yourself, and (b) asking for permission.
- Use (a) is very natural and useful in real life: when you accept a disadvantage to yourself in order to achieve something more important — 時間がかかっても構いません、いい仕事をしたいです (it's fine even if it takes time, I want to do good work). This nuance is a strength unique to 構わない that ～てもいい doesn't have.
- Use (b) — ～ても構いませんか — is a polite request for permission, slightly more modest than ～てもいいですか because its literal meaning is "would it be a bother to you?" With a superior, the most polite form is ～てもよろしいでしょうか.
- On the writing: 構わない with kanji is commonly seen in documents, notices, contracts; in everyday spoken language, writing かまわない is also normal. Same word, different presentation.
Examples
時間がかかっても構いません。いい物を作りたいです。
I do not mind if it takes time. I want to make something good.
この席に座っても構いませんか。
Do you mind if I sit in this seat?
返事は明日でも構いません。ゆっくり考えてください。
I do not mind if you reply tomorrow. Please take your time.
Keep in mind
- Answering when someone asks ～ても構いませんか: ええ、構いませんよ (sure, no problem) or ちょっと… (that's a bit tricky…) if you want to decline gently.
- Be careful with the nuance: 構わない implies "I don't care." Said in a cold tone, it can sound indifferent or even dismissive.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong部長、明日休んでも構いませんが、必ず来てください。
Department manager, it's fine if you take tomorrow off, but you must definitely come.
Correct部長、明日休ませていただけませんでしょうか。
The sentence both asks for a day off (休んでも構いませんか) and demands of oneself "must definitely come" (必ず来てください) — a logical contradiction within the same sentence. Asking a superior for an important leave should use the humble ～させていただけませんでしょうか, far more polite than ～てもかまいませんか.
-
Wrong荷物は重いでも構いません。
It's fine even if the luggage is heavy.
Correct荷物は重くても構いません。
An i-adjective must change to the て form (重くて) before も. Only nouns and na-adjectives use でも.
Exam tips
- ～ても構いませんか and ～てもよろしいでしょうか are both asking for permission — the latter is more polite, used with customers.