「〜てもかまわない」- Expressing Indifference to an Action or Situation

Explanation

「〜てもかまわない」 is a Japanese grammatical structure used to express that you don’t mind or care about a certain action or situation. This expression is often used to convey that even if something happens, it’s okay, or that it’s acceptable.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb て-form + もかまわない	Verb て-form	Indicates that even if a certain action occurs, it’s fine.
い-Adjective て-form + もかまわない	い-Adjective て-form	Indicates that even if a certain state occurs, it’s fine.
な-Adjective stem + で + もかまわない	な-Adjective stem + で	Indicates that even if a certain state occurs, it’s fine.
Noun + で + もかまわない	Noun + で	Indicates that even if a certain situation occurs, it’s fine.

Basic Usage

「〜てもかまわない」 expresses a passive permission or tolerance. It means that even if a certain situation or action occurs, it’s not a problem, or it’s acceptable. For example:

• 遅おそくてもかまわないので電話でんわしてください。
• Osokutemo kamawanai node denwa shite kudasai.
• It’s okay even if it’s late, so please call me.
  

In this example, even if the call is late, it’s acceptable, emphasizing tolerance towards the timing.

Examples

Here are some examples of 「〜てもかまわない」 to help better understand its usage:

• 美味おいしいものを食たべるためなら遠とおくてもかまわない。
• Oishii mono o taberu tame nara tookutemo kamawanai.
• I don’t mind going far if it’s for delicious food.
  

• 明日あしたは夜勤やきんだから、今日きょう寝ねるのは遅おそくてもかまわない。
• Ashita wa yakin da kara, kyou neru no wa osokutemo kamawanai.
• Since I have the night shift tomorrow, it’s okay if I sleep late today.
  

• 同おなじ年としなんだから、敬語けいごじゃなくてもかまわないよ。
• Onaji toshi nan da kara, keigo ja nakutemo kamawanai yo.
• Since we’re the same age, it’s okay not to use polite language.
  

• 嘘うそはバレばれてもかまわないものにとどめておくべきだ。
• Uso wa baretemo kamawanai mono ni todomete oku beki da.
• Lies should be kept to a level where it’s okay even if they’re exposed.
  

Deep Dive

「〜てもかまわない」 is used to express tolerance towards a certain action or situation and is commonly used in everyday conversations, especially in informal settings. This structure emphasizes the speaker’s open-mindedness, indicating that even if something happens, it’s acceptable.

Real-Life Scenarios

• In daily life, expressing tolerance towards being late or scheduling.
• In work settings, indicating acceptance of certain unnecessary formalities or procedures.

Summary

「〜てもかまわない」 is a highly practical Japanese grammatical structure that expresses tolerance and acceptance of certain actions or situations. By understanding its connection rules and basic usage, you can use this grammar point more flexibly in everyday conversations.