To set up or establish (a house, shop, business); to maintain or run a place.
彼は駅前に小さな喫茶店を構えた。
He opened a small café in front of the station.
両親は郊外に家を構えて、静かに暮らしている。
My parents set up a home in the suburbs and live quietly.
彼女は東京に事務所を構えてフリーランスとして働いている。
She has an office in Tokyo and works as a freelancer.
To hold something at the ready (e.g., a gun or camera); to get into a position ready to use it.
警官は銃を構えて犯人に向かった。
The officer raised his gun and approached the suspect.
シャッターチャンスに備えて、カメラを構えて待った。
I held the camera ready and waited for the shutter opportunity.
To adopt a posture or stance; to stand ready or be poised in preparation.
彼は試合前に集中して構えを低くした。
He focused before the match and lowered his stance.
面接官の質問に対して、落ち着いた構えで答えた。
He answered the interviewer's questions with a calm demeanor.
To assume an attitude or air; to act in a way that projects a particular impression.
彼は偉そうに構えているが、実際は経験が浅い。
He puts on an arrogant air, but in reality he has little experience.
会議であまり構えず、率直に意見を言った方がいい。
It's better not to put on airs in meetings and speak frankly.
To become stiff or tense; to adopt a formal or rigid manner.
緊張して肩に力が入って、顔つきも構えてしまった。
I got nervous, my shoulders tensed, and my expression became stiff.
To fabricate or concoct something in order to deceive; to make up (often used critically).
証拠を構えて、相手を貶めようとしたのではないかと疑われている。
He is suspected of having fabricated evidence to discredit the other party.
彼は事実を構えて、事件を大きく見せようとした。
He made up facts to make the incident look bigger than it was.
To plan or scheme; to set up a plan or plot.
新しい事業を構えるために、入念に資金計画を立てた。
He carefully planned the financing to set up a new business.
あの企業は海外進出を構えて、準備を進めているようだ。
That company seems to be preparing and planning a move overseas.