Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
This grammar pattern expresses that something happens or is true contrary to expectations, or in spite of a certain preceding condition. It conveys a strong sense of “despite,” “even though,” or “regardless of the situation.”
🎯 Primary Function
Its primary function is to highlight a surprising or unexpected outcome by emphasizing that the subsequent event occurred in defiance of the preceding condition or circumstance. It often implies a strong contrast between the expected and actual outcome.
📋 Grammar Structure
にも関わらず attaches to the plain form of verbs, i-adjectives, the noun form of na-adjectives (〜であるにも関わらず), and nouns. 1. **Verb (Plain Form/Ta-form/Dictionary form)** + にも関わらず
* 例: 勉強するにも関わらず (despite studying), 勉強したにも関わらず (despite having studied)
2. **い-Adjective (Plain Form)** + にも関わらず
* 例: 忙しいにも関わらず (despite being busy)
3. **な-Adjective (Stem + である)** + にも関わらず
* 例: 静かであるにも関わらず (despite being quiet)
* *Note:* While less formal, 「静かなにも関わらず」 can sometimes be heard in spoken language, but 「である」 is preferred for formality.
4. **Noun** + にも関わらず
* 例: 雨にも関わらず (despite the rain), 病気にも関わらず (despite being sick)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Highly appropriate and frequently used in formal settings, such as business presentations, academic discussions, official announcements, and polite conversations with superiors.
Informal Situations
Less common and generally avoided in casual conversation, where simpler and less formal expressions like 「〜なのに」 or 「〜けれど」 are preferred.
Written Language
Very common in written Japanese, including newspapers, academic papers, formal reports, official documents, and literary works.
Spoken Language
Used in formal speeches, presentations, news broadcasts, and polite, objective discussions. It adds a sophisticated and formal tone to spoken communication.
💡 Common Applications
Expressing unexpected outcomes or resilience.
Used when something happens (often positively) despite a difficult or seemingly prohibitive situation. It can also express admiration for someone persevering.
Example: 彼女は多くの困難にも関わらず、目標を達成した。 (Kanojo wa ooku no konnan nimo kakawarazu, mokuhyou o tassei shita.) – Despite many difficulties, she achieved her goal.
Stating facts contrary to expectation.
Describes a situation where a fact or event occurs that seems illogical or surprising given the preceding condition.
Example: その製品は高価であるにも関わらず、飛ぶように売れている。 (Sono seihin wa kouka de aru nimo kakawarazu, tobu you ni ureteiru.) – Despite that product being expensive, it’s selling like hotcakes.
Formal excuses or explanations.
Used to explain why something happened or didn’t happen, acknowledging a condition but stating it didn’t prevent/cause the outcome.
Example: 悪天候にも関わらず、イベントは予定通り開催された。(Akutenkou nimo kakawarazu, ibento wa yotei doori kaisai sareta.) – Despite the bad weather, the event was held as scheduled.
Frequency
Moderately high in formal and written contexts; low in informal spoken Japanese.
Difficulty
N2. While the core meaning is straightforward, mastering its appropriate usage in formal contexts and distinguishing it from similar patterns requires advanced understanding.
Example Sentences
彼は忙しいにも関わらず、ボランティア活動に参加している。
Despite being busy, he participates in volunteer activities.
大雨にも関わらず、試合は決行された。
Despite the heavy rain, the game went ahead as planned.
彼女は何度も失敗したにも関わらず、諦めずに挑戦し続けた。
Even though she failed many times, she continued to challenge herself without giving up.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Expresses unexpected outcome
「にも関わらず」 strongly emphasizes that the subsequent event occurred contrary to the expectation created by the preceding condition.
Example: 寝不足にも関わらず、集中して仕事ができた。(Nesubusoku nimo kakawarazu, shuuchuu shite shigoto ga dekita.) – Despite lack of sleep, I was able to concentrate on work.
Formality and objectivity
It carries a more formal and objective tone compared to 「〜のに」, which often conveys personal surprise, complaint, or dissatisfaction.
Example: 政府は反対意見が多かったにも関わらず、計画を進めた。(Seifu wa hantai iken ga ookatta nimo kakawarazu, keikaku o susumeta.) – Despite many opposing opinions, the government proceeded with the plan.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using in casual conversations
✅ In informal settings, use 「〜なのに」 or 「〜けれど/けど」 instead.
「にも関わらず」 sounds too stiff and formal for everyday casual talk. It can sound unnatural or overly dramatic if used incorrectly.
❌ Incorrectly attaching to な-adjectives or Nouns
✅ For な-adjectives, use the stem + 「であるにも関わらず」. For nouns, simply attach 「にも関わらず」.
Incorrect forms like 「静かににも関わらず」 or trying to insert 「な」 directly before 「にも関わらず」 for nouns are wrong. The 「である」 form ensures grammatical correctness and formality for な-adjectives and nouns acting as predicates.
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: High. This expression is formal and polite, suitable for respectful and objective communication.
Social Situations: Ideal for formal speeches, reports, official announcements, formal presentations, and written communication where clarity, objectivity, and a respectful tone are desired. Less common in personal conversations.
Regional Variations: The usage and nuance of 「にも関わらず」 are standard across all regions of Japan and do not typically exhibit significant regional variations in its formal application.
🔍 Subtle Differences
〜にも関わらず vs. 〜のに
「にも関わらず」 is more formal, objective, and emphasizes that something occurred despite an expectation. 「〜のに」 is more casual, often expresses personal surprise, disappointment, or complaint, and can sometimes imply blame.
When to use: Use 「にも関わらず」 in formal writing and speech for objective contrast. Use 「〜のに」 in casual conversation for subjective feelings.
〜にも関わらず vs. 〜けれど/〜が
「〜にも関わらず」 strongly implies an unexpected or contradictory outcome. 「〜けれど/〜が」 are simpler conjunctions that merely connect two contrasting statements without necessarily implying strong surprise or unexpectedness.
When to use: Use 「にも関わらず」 when the contrast is striking and the outcome is contrary to what would be expected. Use 「〜けれど/〜が」 for general contrasts or to soften a statement.
〜にも関わらず vs. 〜にかかわらず
「にも関わらず」: “despite X,” implying X *should* have influenced the outcome but didn’t. 「〜にかかわらず」: “regardless of X,” meaning X has no bearing on the outcome, which is the same no matter what X is.
When to use: Use 「にも関わらず」 when an obstacle or condition was overcome. Use 「〜にかかわらず」 when a decision or outcome is independent of a variable (e.g., “regardless of weather,” “regardless of age”).
📝 Conjugation Notes
Verbs: Plain form (dictionary, ta-form, nai-form). I-Adjectives: Plain form. Na-Adjectives: Stem + 「であるにも関わらず」 (e.g., きれいであるにも関わらず). Nouns: Just the noun + 「にも関わらず」 (e.g., 雨にも関わらず). The use of 「である」 for nouns acting as predicates (e.g., 「病気であるにも関わらず」) is also common and formal.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
The pronunciation is straightforward: 「に・も・か・か・わ・ら・ず」 (ni-mo-ka-ka-wa-ra-zu). Ensure smooth flow and clear articulation, especially in formal contexts.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of it as “Nimo Kakawarazu, Unexpectedly So!” The “kakawazu” part might remind you of “kakawaru” (to be involved/related), so it literally means “not involved in (the expected outcome) despite.” Associate it with formal situations and surprising contrasts.
Vocabulary List
関わらず
kakawarazu
despite, regardless of
忙しい
isogashii
busy (i-adjective)
ボランティア活動
borantia katsudou
volunteer activities
参加する
sanka suru
to participate
大雨
ooame
heavy rain
試合
shiai
game, match
決行する
to go ahead as planned
Kanji List
関
かん (kakawa)
connection, relation
係
かか (kakawa)
person in charge, connection (often used for relating to)
忙
いそが (isoga)
busy
活
かつ (katsu)
lively, activity
動
どう (dou)
move
参
さん (san)
participate
加
か (ka)
add, join
大
おお (oo)
big, great
雨
あめ (ame)
rain
試
し (shi)
test, try
合
ごう (ai)
fit, join
Practice Exercises
彼は熱がある＿＿＿＿、学校に行った。
にも関わらず
のに
けれど
から
Choose the most appropriate sentence using 「にも関わらず」:
A. 暑いにも関わらず、エアコンをつけなかった。
B. 宿題をたくさんしたにも関わらず、満点だった。
C. 彼は病気であるにも関わらず、ジョギングをしている。
D. 彼は日本語を勉強するにも関わらず、上達しない。
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