身構(みがま)え

みがまえ
noun
defensive stance; readiness; bracing oneself
movementemotion
1. physical stance of readiness; defensive posture
A body posture taken in preparation for a physical confrontation, attack, or sudden movement. Used in martial arts and sports.
身構(みがま)えを取(と)る。
To take a defensive stance.
相手(あいて)の攻撃(こうげき)に備(そな)えて身構(みがま)えた。
He braced himself for the opponent's attack.
地震(じしん)の揺(ゆ)れを感(かん)じて、とっさに身構(みがま)えた。
Feeling the earthquake tremor, I instinctively braced myself.
2. mental readiness; bracing oneself; being on guard
A figurative stance of psychological preparedness or wariness, as when anticipating difficulty, criticism, or an uncomfortable situation.
そんなに身構(みがま)えなくてもいいよ。
You don't need to be so on guard.
面接(めんせつ)と聞(き)いて身構(みがま)えてしまう。
I tense up when I hear the word 'interview.'
初対面(しょたいめん)の人(ひと)には、つい身構(みがま)えてしまうことがある。
I sometimes find myself being guarded around people I meet for the first time.

Noun form of the verb 身構(みがま)える (to take a stance; to brace oneself). From 身(み) (body/self) + 構(かま)える (to set up; to assume a position). The noun form refers to both the physical posture and the psychological state of readiness.

The verb form 身構(みがま)える is more common in everyday use. The noun 身構(みがま)え appears in descriptions of stances and attitudes.

Common collocations

  • 身構(みがま)えを取(と)る: to assume a ready stance
  • 身構(みがま)えを解(と)く: to relax one's guard
  • つい身構(みがま)えてしまう: to involuntarily tense up

Similar words

  • 構(かま)え: stance; posture — more general, used in martial arts for any fighting stance
  • 警戒(けいかい): vigilance; caution — focuses on being watchful against danger
  • 緊張(きんちょう): tension; nervousness — describes the internal feeling rather than the outward readiness

Related Words

Compare: 警戒(けいかい) (vigilance)
Compare: 緊張(きんちょう) (tension)
general
Added 2026.5.8 20:11 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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