Practice JLPTHow to tell them apart
The core distinction is what kind of noun precedes the particle. によらず emphasizes that the outcome does not depend on or is not calculated from the noun — it is about independence from a factor, fitting abstract or variable conditions like 位置によらず or 学歴によらず. にかかわらず emphasizes that the outcome holds without regard to the noun's value or category, often pairing with question words or paired opposites like いかんにかかわらず. Swapping them is not always wrong, but によらず sounds more natural with a single variable factor, while にかかわらず is the safer choice for whether-or-not or whatever-type contrasts.
- によらず Use によらず when the result holds without depending on a single variable factor.
- にかかわらず・に関/拘/係わらず Use にかかわらず when the result holds across categories or conditions, especially with いかん.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| によらず niyorazu | Regardless of; irrespective of | N1 |
| にかかわらず・に関/拘/係わらず nikakawarazu ni warazu | Regardless of | N1 |
によらず niyorazu
Regardless of; irrespective of
Without; without ~ing; regardless of; independently of; without reference to; whether X or Y; whether X or not; whatever/whoever/etc.; no matter what/who/how/etc. | A compound particle that means “without depending on”.
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QRの長さはPの位置によらず常に一定である。
The distance between Q and R is always the same, regardless of where P is.
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この会社では学歴によらず、実力があればどんどん大きい仕事をまかされる。
At this company, if you are capable, you will be given big assignments one after another, regardless of your educational qualifications.
にかかわらず・に関/拘/係わらず nikakawarazu ni warazu
Regardless of
Regardless of; independent of; without reference to; without distinguishing; whether X or Y; whether X or not; whatever/whoever/etc. | A compound particle that means “regardless of”
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A社は市場調査の結果のいかんに関わらず日本でのマーケティングを開始することを決めた。
Company A has decided to begin marketing in Japan regardless of the market research results.
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いかなる団体・個人についても、その意図や理由のいかんに関わらず、ここにある画像の転載・再配布等は許可しません。
No group or individual is allowed to reproduce or redistribute the images found here, regardless of the intent or reason.
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 — meanings, usage and example sentences — so you can tell them apart.