How 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 | 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 attaches to a noun and means that someone acts without paying attention to it, going against advice, worries, or hopes that others express. It carries a critical or contrasting tone, showing that the situation proceeds regardless of what is stated before it.
-
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.
-
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 means that something happens or is true even though the opposite would be expected from what comes before it. It follows plain-form verbs and い-adjectives, nouns, or な-adjectives with である, as in お金持ちであるにもかかわらず. The wording is formal, so it suits written or serious contexts.
-
彼はお金持ちであるにもかかわらず、彼は幸せではない。
With all his wealth, he is not happy.
-
彼は、努力したにもかかわらず十分には報われなかった。
For all his efforts, he was not paid well.
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.