Practice JLPTHow to tell them apart
をよそに describes someone ignoring or disregarding warnings, criticism, advice, or others' feelings — the focus is on indifference or disregard toward human input. をものともせず describes someone pushing forward bravely despite unfavorable physical circumstances like high waves or jet lag. The key contrast is that 妻の忠告をよそに works because it's ignoring advice, whereas 高波をものともせず works because it's overcoming a physical obstacle — swapping them sounds unnatural.
- をよそに Use をよそに when someone disregards warnings, criticism, advice, or others' concerns.
- をものともせず Use をものともせず when someone acts bravely despite unfavorable physical or external circumstances.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| をよそに woyosoni | In defiance of/Ignoring | N1 |
| をものともせず womonotomosezu | In spite of/Undaunted by | N1 |
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.
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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.
をものともせず womonotomosezu
In spite of/Undaunted by
In spite of ~; undaunted by ~; in definance of ~; in the face of ~ | A phrase indicating that someone does something bravely/fearlessly in spite of unfavourable circumstances.
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友人は高波をものともせず4キロを泳ぎ切った。
Overcoming high waves, my friend swam (all of) four kilometres.
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子供は時差をものともせず、早速水着に着替えてワイキキビーチへ出かけた。
In spite of the time difference, my child changed to her swimming suit right away and went to Waikiki Beach.
をよそに and をものともせず 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.