Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 3: 6/23

にも拘(かか)わらず

Despite, In spite of, Regardless, Nevertheless

Do not confuse with にかかわらず

Structure

Verb + にもかかわらず
［い］Adjective + にもかかわらず
［な］Adjective + である + にもかかわらず
Noun + （である）+ にもかかわらず

Details

  • Register

    Standard

  • 使用域

    一般

About にもかかわらず

にもかかわらず is a formal grammar structure in Japanese used to convey that something is 'in spite of (A)', or 'despite (A)'. This pattern is a combination of に, も, the う-Verb 拘(かか)わる 'to fixate on', or 'to stick to', and the literary auxiliary verb ず, which connects with verbs in the same way, and carries the same meaning as ない.
This structure is most frequently seen connected to verbs, い-Adjectives and nouns in their standard forms. In most cases, this pattern will appear without kanji.
  • 浜崎(はまさき)さんは毎日(まいにち)一生懸命(いっしょうけんめい)働(はたら)いていたのにもかかわらず、会社(かいしゃ)をクビになった。
    Despite working hard every day, Hamasaki-san was fired by the company.
  • 彼(かれ)が悪(わる)いのにもかかわらず、私(わたし)に謝(あやま)らそうとしてきた。
    Despite him being in the wrong, he tried to make me apologize.
  • 田中(たなか)さんは優(やさ)しくて親切(しんせつ)であるにもかかわらず、見(み)た目(め)が怖(こわ)いから田中(たなか)さんのことをよく知(し)らない人(ひと)からは怖(こわ)がらて避(さ)けられている。
    Despite Tanaka-san being kind and helpful, he's feared and avoided by those who don't know him well because of his scary appearance.
  • 深夜(しんや)にもかかわらず、上司(じょうし)が鬼電(おにでん)をしてきたので労基(ろうき)に報告(ほうこく)しようと思(おも)う。
    Despite being late at night, my boss blew up my phone, so I'm thinking of reporting it to the labor standards inspection office.
Literally, this phrase can be thought of as expressing 'without being affected by (A), (B)', or 'without fixating on (A), (B)'. However, it is almost always used in exactly the same way as のに 'despite'.
Caution - It is important not to get にも拘(かか)わらず mixed up with に関(かか)わらず. The former expresses 'despite', while the latter tends to be used more often for 'no matter if'.
  • お客(きゃく)さんが来(く)ることを知(し)っていたにもかかわらず、部屋(へや)の掃除(そうじ)をしていなかったので息子(むすこ)を叱(しか)った。
    Despite knowing that we were going to have guests over, my son did not clean his room so I scolded him.
  • お客(きゃく)さんが来(く)るかどうかに関(かか)わらず、部屋(へや)は綺麗(きれい)にしておいてください。
    Please keep your room clean no matter if guests are coming or not.

Examples

  • 古代(こだい)ローマ時代(じだい)、ガリアはローマによって征服(せいふく)されたにもかかわらず、ある小(ちい)さな村(むら)はなおも戦(たたか)い続(つづ)けた。

    In Ancient Roman times, despite Gaul being conquered by Rome, a certain small village was still fighting.

  • 全(すべ)ての物体(ぶったい)は、その大小(だいしょう)にもかかわらず、真空(しんくう)においては同(おな)じ速度(そくど)で落下(らっか)する。

    All objects, regardless of their size, fall at the same speed in a vacuum.

  • オデュッセウスは多数(たすう)の危険(きけん)にもかかわらず、大変(たいへん)な努力(どりょく)の結果(けっか)、ついに彼(かれ)の国(くに)に帰(かえ)ることができた。

    Despite numerous dangers, Odysseus was able to finally return to his country as a result of his great efforts.

  • 熊(くま)は重(おも)いにもかかわらず、速(はや)く走(はし)れたり、木(き)に登(のぼ)れたりするので、危険(きけん)な動物(どうぶつ)だ。本物(ほんもの)を見(み)かけたら、じっとして驚(おどろ)かさないでください。

    Despite being heavy, since bears run fast, climb trees, and more, they are dangerous animals. If you happen to see one, stand still and do not surprise them.

  • 単独(たんどく)の無名(むめい)の英雄(えいゆう)は満身(まんしん)創痍(そうい)(傷(きず)だらけ)だった。それにもかかわらず、気力(きりょく)のみで、像(ぞう)のように立(た)った。素晴(すば)らしい景色(けしき)だったと思(おも)う。

    A sole, nameless hero was wounded all over. Nevertheless, by sheer force of will, he remained standing like a statue. It was quite a beautiful sight.

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にもかかわらず – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

  • Flavyouu

    Flavyouu

    "全すべての物体ぶったいは、その大小だいしょう にもかかわらず 、真空しんくうにおいては同おなじ速度そくどで落下らっかする。

    All objects, regardless of their size, fall at the same speed in a vacuum."

    This is the only example that uses ‘regardless’;

    Can I also use にかかわらず here?

  • speedaemon

    speedaemon

    It’s mentioned to be Formal in several different places, but the Register has it marked as Casual?

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