構わないで

[pacerier]

Hi all, I was wondering since 構う is a transitive verb, what exactly is the difference between these two sentences:

1) 僕に構わないで

2) 僕を構わないで

 

[Toritoribe]

"Leave me alone." vs. "Don't tease me."

 

[pacerier]

Is it true that all 5 meanings of 構う are transitive verbs?

 

[sima]

構う is transitive and intransitive, according to 広辞苑 and 新明解国語辞典。
In this case, 「僕にかまわないで」「僕をかまわないで」are both correct, though 「僕に」is common use.

 

[Toritoribe]

Is it true that all 5 meanings of 構う are transitive verbs?

Do you know the definition of transitive/intransitive verbs in Japanese grammar, in the first place?

 

[pacerier]

Hm, if it's transitive it takes another object in を right?

 

[Toritoribe]

じどうし【自動詞】の意味 - goo国語辞書
たどうし【他動詞】の意味 - goo国語辞書

Seemingly whether the verb takes ヲ格補語 or not, but actually the reflexivity of the verb is the key.

 

[pacerier]

Why does 僕を構わないで mean "don't tease me" and not the first meaning "leave me alone" ?

 

[Toritoribe]

Isn't that exactly what you want to know initially, not "whether 構う is transitive or intransitive" but "whether 構う could be changed the meaning by the particle or not"? If so, yes, を can't be used for the meaning "to mind; to care about; to be concerned about". (This is also the answer to your last question.)

 

[pacerier]

Ok so the meaning "to mind; to care about; to be concerned about" is an intransitive verb

whereas the meaning "tease" is a transitive verb?

 

[Toritoribe]

I'm not going to get into "theological argument" about the topic again...

Need a word or phrase translated? | Page 299 | Japan Forum