Japanese word

構える

Pronunciation

Romajikamaeru

Meaning

  • verbset up

Example

駅の近くに店を構えます。eki no chika ku ni mise o kama e ma su

I will set up a shop near the station.

Illustration for 構える (set up)

More examples

彼は独立して自宅に事務所を構えました。kare wa doku ritsu shi te ji taku ni ji mu sho o kama e ma shi ta

After becoming independent, he set up an office at home.

Core concept

Means deliberately placing something in a ready or fixed arrangement, from a person's stance to a business established in a particular place.

Common phrases

  • 店を構えるmise o kama e ru

    set up a shop

  • 家を構えるie o kama e ru

    establish a home

Similar words

設けるmōkeru: To establish a shop or office in a particular place for continued business use.
開くaku: To start a shop or business and make it available to customers.
開業するkaigyōsuru: To start running a business as a commercial activity.

Definition in Japanese

物や体を一定の形や位置に整えて備えること。また、店などを設けて営業を始めること。mono ya karada o it tei no katachi ya i chi ni totono e te sona e ru ko to ma ta mise na do o mō ke te ei gyō o haji me ru ko to

Word origin

構える (kamaeru, "set up") is a native Japanese verb, but its precise origin is not securely established; the recorded meanings center on taking a stance or setting something in position.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 店を構える (mise o kamaeru) suggests establishing a shop as a lasting base, so it sounds more settled than a simple one-time setup.

Other meanings

  • prepareverb
  • poseverb

Opposites

  • 畳むtatamuclose downverb

Related words

  • 構えkamaesetupnoun
  • 構え方kamaekataway of setting upnoun

Word lists with this word