How to tell them apart
をよそに describes doing something while disregarding opposition, worry or advice from others, as in 親の反対をよそに留学した. It highlights a defiant or indifferent attitude toward people around the subject. にもかかわらず simply marks a contrast between an expected result and reality, as in 雨にもかかわらず出かけた, without that nuance of ignoring people.
- をよそに Use をよそに to describe acting in defiance of opposition, warnings, worry or advice from others.
- にもかかわらず Use にもかかわらず to state formally that something is true in spite of a contrary fact or expectation.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| をよそに woyosoni | Acting in defiance of or disregarding something | N1 |
| にもかかわらず nimokakawarazu | in spite of; notwithstanding (formal usage) | N3 |
をよそに woyosoni
Acting in defiance of or disregarding something
をよそに expresses doing something in defiance of or without regard for someone's feelings, opinions, or reactions. It follows nouns that represent human concern or attitude, such as 心配, 反対, 忠告, or 批判, as in 心配をよそに. It is a formal written expression and cannot be used with neutral surrounding conditions like weather or the economy.
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両親の心配をよそに、彼は一人で南米へ旅立った。
Ignoring his parents' worries, he set off alone for South America.
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住民の反対をよそに、その土地に大型マンションが建ち始めた。
Disregarding the residents' opposition, construction of a large apartment building began on that land.
にもかかわらず nimokakawarazu
in spite of; notwithstanding (formal usage)
にもかかわらず expresses in spite of or although, marking a contrast where the result goes against what would be expected from the first fact. It follows nouns directly, as in 雨にもかかわらず, and follows verbs and i-adjectives in plain form, as in 努力したにもかかわらず. With nouns and na-adjectives in a clause, である is required before it. It is formal and common in writing, often used to present an unexpected outcome in an objective tone.
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彼は病気にもかかわらず会に出席した。
He attended the meeting in spite of illness.
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雨にもかかわらず、試合はキャンセルされなかった。
In spite of the rain, the game was not cancelled.
をよそに and にもかかわらず are JLPT N3–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.