Practice JLPTHow to tell them apart
を問わず means "without regard to" and attaches to a noun or a paired choice (見た見ないを問わず), listing conditions that do not affect the outcome. にもかかわらず means "despite" and follows a clause or noun describing an actual situation that contradicts the result. Swapping them is wrong because を問わず does not express contradiction, and にもかかわらず does not enumerate alternatives.
- を問わず Use を問わず when the outcome holds no matter which condition applies.
- にもかかわらず Use にもかかわらず when the result contradicts an actual known situation.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| を問わず wo wazu | Regardless of/Irrespective of | N2 |
| にもかかわらず nimokakawarazu | Despite (formal) | N3 |
を問わず wo wazu
Regardless of/Irrespective of
Regardless of; irrespective 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 questioning”.
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A社は、市場調査の結果のいかんを問わず、日本でのマーケティングを開始する。
Company A is beginning their marketing in Japan without considering the results of their market research.
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このDVDは映画を見た見ないを問わず、ぜひ持っておくことを勧めます。
I recommend that you get this DVD whether you have seen the (original) movie or not.
にもかかわらず nimokakawarazu
Despite (formal)
Although; though; in spite of; despite; notwithstanding; nevertheless | Without any relation to a preceding event/situation.
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あの人はよく運動をする（の）にもかかわらず、太っている。
He is fat, although he exercises a lot.
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キャロルは日本に三年も住んでいた（の）にもかかわらず、日本語は大変下手だ。
Although Carol lived in Japan for three years, her Japanese is very poor.
を問わず and にもかかわらず are JLPT N3–N2 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.