How to tell them apart
Both によらず and にかかわらず can follow a noun to mean regardless of, as in 年齢によらず and 年齢にかかわらず. にかかわらず has wider attachment and can also follow a question word plus か, a かどうか clause, or paired opposites, as in 上手下手にかかわらず and 理由のいかんにかかわらず, patterns that によらず cannot take. In addition, によらず can add the sense that a result is not decided by N or is contrary to N, as in 予想によらず, while にかかわらず only means the result holds in any case.
- によらず Use によらず to express that something does not depend on a noun or is contrary to what the noun would lead one to expect.
- にかかわらず・に関/拘/係わらず Use にかかわらず to express that something holds irrespective of conditions, including with question words, paired opposites, and whether or not clauses.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| によらず niyorazu | Without regard to; not dependent on; contrary to what one would expect | N1 |
| にかかわらず・に関/拘/係わらず nikakawarazu ni warazu | Without regard to; irrespective of the circumstances | N1 |
によらず niyorazu
Without regard to; not dependent on; contrary to what one would expect
によらず means regardless of or irrespective of, showing that a result or rule does not depend on the preceding item. It attaches directly to a noun, as in 年齢によらず or 天気によらず, often with nouns that name a variable category like age, gender, nationality, or size. The set phrase 見かけによらず means contrary to appearances and is used when reality differs from expectation, and the form is common in formal announcements and written Japanese.
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トムは見かけによらずよく食べる。
Tom eats a lot despite appearances.
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年齢によらず参加できる。
Anyone can join regardless of age.
にかかわらず・に関/拘/係わらず nikakawarazu ni warazu
Without regard to; irrespective of the circumstances
にかかわらず expresses that a result or action holds irrespective of differing conditions or outcomes. It follows nouns naming paired alternatives, as in 成否にかかわらず, and follows a noun plus のいかん to indicate that something does not depend on how that matter turns out, as in 天候のいかんにかかわらず. It also follows opposite verb pairs where each verb takes と, as in 好むと好まざるとにかかわらず, with ざる as the classical negative of the second verb. It belongs to formal written style.
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成否に関わらず、私はできるだけのことをやってみます。
I will try my best, whether I shall be successful or not.
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晴雨にかかわらず、開会式は９時に始まる予定です。
Rain or shine, the opening ceremony is to begin at nine.
によらず and にかかわらず・に関/拘/係わらず are both JLPT N1 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.