Posted inN3 Grammar

Allowing It: Understanding ても構わない (temo kamawanai) for JLPT N3

Posted inN3 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

It’s alright if… / You may… / It doesn’t matter if…

🎯 Primary Function

To express permission or indicate that a certain action or state is acceptable and will not cause an issue. It can also indicate the speaker’s lack of concern or objection.

📋 Grammar Structure

[Verb て-form] + も構わない / 構いません [い-Adjective く-form] + ても構わない / 構いません [な-Adjective stem] + で も構わない / 構いません [Noun] + で も構わない / 構いません

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Can be used, especially the polite form 構いません, in moderately formal settings, though less formal than 〜てもよろしい.

😊 Informal Situations

Commonly used in informal conversation.

✍️ Written Language

Used in written Japanese, less formal than some alternatives.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Very commonly used in spoken Japanese.

💡 Common Applications

Granting Permission
Indicates that the listener or another person is allowed to perform an action.
Example: ここで写真を撮っても構いません。(You may take pictures here.)
Expressing Lack of Concern
Indicates that a certain situation or action is acceptable from the speaker’s perspective and does not cause them concern.
Example: 少しぐらい遅れても構いませんよ。(It’s okay even if you’re a little late.)
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📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in daily communication.
🎚️
Difficulty
Intermediate (N3). Understanding the nuance compared to similar patterns is key.
Example Sentences
日本語が少し話せなくても構いません。
It’s okay if you can’t speak Japanese very well.
明日、早く来ても構いませんか。
Is it okay if I come early tomorrow?
このペンを使っても構わない？
Can I use this pen? (Informal)
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Polite Form 構いません
構いません is the polite ます form and is frequently used in more formal contexts or when speaking politely.
Example: ここに座っても構いませんか。(May I sit here?)
Subject of 構わない
The implied subject of 構わない is usually the speaker or a general perspective, indicating that the action/state does not matter or cause concern to them/in general.
Example: あなたが来なくても構いません。(It doesn’t matter to me if you don’t come.)

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using for obligation/necessity
✅ Use grammar like 〜なければならない or 〜なくてはいけない.
ても構わない expresses permission or acceptability, not requirement.
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✅ undefined
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🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Less formal than 〜てもよろしい, but more formal than very casual 〜てもいい depending on context. Generally acceptable.
Social Situations: Used in a range of situations from casual to semi-formal when granting permission or expressing lack of objection.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese, usage is consistent across regions.

🔍 Subtle Differences

〜てもいい vs. 〜ても構わない
〜てもいい is the most common and general way to grant permission (“it is good if…”). 〜ても構わない emphasizes lack of objection or concern from the speaker (“it doesn’t matter/bother me if…”).
When to use: Use 〜てもいい for standard permission. Use 〜ても構わない when the nuance of “I don’t mind” or “it’s acceptable from my perspective” is relevant, or in slightly more formal permission than casual 〜てもいい.
〜ても大丈夫 vs. 〜ても構わない
〜ても大丈夫 focuses on safety or the absence of problems/harm (“even if… it is safe/alright”). 〜ても構わない focuses on lack of objection or concern from the speaker.
When to use: Use 〜ても大丈夫 when emphasizing safety or the absence of problems. Use 〜ても構わない when emphasizing permission or personal lack of concern/objection.
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📝 Conjugation Notes

Requires connecting to the respective て-form of the preceding word (verb て-form, い-adj くて-form, な-adj/noun で).

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

構わない is pronounced かまわない (kamawanai). Ensure the い at the end is pronounced clearly.

🧠 Memory Tips

Remember 構う (かまう – to mind/care) and 構わない (don’t mind). ても構わない means “Even if [verb], I don’t mind/it doesn’t matter”.

Practice Exercises
この部屋で食べ物を食べても（）。
ならない
構いません
ほしいです
べきです
宿題を忘れても、明日提出すれば（）。
ならない
構わない
かもされない
はずがない
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