Japanese

える

しゃにかまえる
Meaning: to take a cynical, guarded, or indirect attitude
Part of Speech: Verb, Expression

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 斜に構える 斜に構えない
Polite 斜に構えます 斜に構えません
Past 斜に構えた 斜に構えなかった
Polite + Past 斜に構えました 斜に構えませんでした
Te-form 斜に構えて 斜に構えなくて
Potential 斜に構えられる 斜に構えられない
Passive 斜に構えられる 斜に構えられない
Causative 斜に構えさせる 斜に構えさせない
Imperative 斜に構えろ 斜に構えるな

Handwriting

斜
に
構
え
る

Example

Even after he was warned, he did not take a cynical stance and listened honestly.

Usage Notes

Used when someone faces a matter with sarcasm, detachment, or a defensive pose instead of meeting it directly. It can also describe a literal diagonal sword stance.

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