1.
to set up; to establish
To establish or set up a place such as a home, shop, or office.
店を構える。
To set up a shop.
2.
to adopt a stance; to prepare oneself
To take a physical or mental posture in preparation for something.
刀を構える。
To ready one's sword.
斜に構えた態度はよくない。
A cynical attitude is not good.
「斜に構える」 means to take a cynical or aloof stance.
構える is a transitive verb.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: Transitive (他動詞)
- Pair: 構う (intransitive, though 構う has different meanings)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 店を構える (set up a shop)
- 家を構える (establish a home)
- 刀を構える (ready one's sword)
- 斜に構える (take a cynical stance)
ASPECT (ている):
- 構えている can indicate either an ongoing state of readiness or an established setup.