Practice JLPTHow to tell them apart
をよそに portrays someone brazenly ignoring warnings, criticism, advice, opposition, or anxiety directed at them — the focus is on their indifferent attitude toward others' feelings or input. にもかかわらず is a straightforward
- をよそに Use をよそに when someone ignores warnings, criticism, advice, opposition, or anxiety directed at them.
- にもかかわらず Use にもかかわらず when stating a fact that runs contrary to expectations, like exercising yet staying fat.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| をよそに woyosoni | In defiance of/Ignoring | N1 |
| にもかかわらず nimokakawarazu | Despite (formal) | N3 |
をよそに woyosoni
In defiance of/Ignoring
Indifferent to ~; contrary to ~; ignoring ~; despite | A compound particle that expresses someone’s indifference to warnings, criticism, advice, accusations, opposition, anxiety, wishes, eagerness, provocative actions, etc.
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たび重なる妻の忠告をよそに、彼は酒もタバコもやめなかった。
Ignoring his wife's repeated advice, he never quit drinking and smoking.
-
今回のイベントは、我々の心配をよそに多くの参加者を集め、大成功だった。
Despite our worries, many people participated in the event, so it turned out to be a big success.
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 — meanings, usage and example sentences — so you can tell them apart.