1.
do not mind; it's fine; it doesn't matter
Used to express that something is acceptable or that one does not object. The negative form of the verb 構う (to mind, to care about).
遅れても構わない。
It's okay if you're late.
ここに座っても構いませんか。
Do you mind if I sit here?
写真を撮っても構いませんか。
Would it be all right if I took a photo?
私は何を食べても構わないよ。
I don't mind whatever we eat.
The negative form of 構う (to mind, to care). Very frequently used in the pattern ～ても構わない to express permission or indifference, functioning similarly to ～てもいい but slightly more formal.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ～ても構わない: it's fine even if ~
- ～ても構いません: polite form
- ～ても構いませんか: may I ~? (polite request for permission)
- 構わないで: don't worry about it
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- ～てもいい: the most basic way to express permission; more casual
- ～ても差し支えない: more formal; used in business or official contexts
- 気にしない: focuses on not worrying emotionally, rather than granting permission