How 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 | Acting in defiance of or disregarding something | N1 |
| をものともせず womonotomosezu | Undaunted by; in spite of | N1 |
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.
をものともせず womonotomosezu
Undaunted by; in spite of
をものともせず means to face something difficult or threatening without being bothered by it, treating it as nothing. It attaches to a noun marked with を, typically a hardship like danger, cold, or a storm, and often appears with に. The tone is written and somewhat formal.
-
そのおてんば娘は危険をものともせずにその木に登った。
The reckless girl climbed the tree regardless of danger.
-
氷のような水をものともせずに彼は川へ飛びこんだ。
He jumped into the river in defiance of the icy water.
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 on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.