nehledě na + Accusative

Apart from or Regardless of Nehledě Na

Level 6

Nehledě na is a common expression meaning "regardless of," "irrespective of," or "apart from." It is used to introduce a factor that is deliberately ignored or fails to affect the main point.

How It Works

Nehledě na is highly mainstream and frequently used in both standard written texts and everyday spoken Czech. It is used to dismiss a variable or to stack an additional, overlooked point onto an argument (often translating naturally as "regardless of" or "apart from").

Key Usage Patterns:

  • With a noun phrase: nehledě na počasí (regardless of the weather).
  • With a subordinate clause: It bridges to the clause using the demonstrative pronoun to in the accusative: nehledě na to, že... (apart from the fact that... / not to mention that...). This specific phrase is extremely common in everyday speech.

Punctuation Note: When using the phrase nehledě na to, že, it functions as a complex conjunction. According to standard Czech punctuation rules, you can place the comma either before the entire phrase (Udělám to, nehledě na to, že prší.) or just before že (Udělám to nehledě na to, že prší.). When used simply as a preposition with a noun phrase (Udělám to nehledě na počasí.), it is typically not separated by a comma unless intended as an afterthought.

Important Comparisons:

  • Bez ohledu na: This is a direct synonym ("without regard to"). Both bez ohledu na and nehledě na are very common and natural in everyday communication.
  • Nemluvě o: While nehledě na to, že... can translate as "not to mention that...", if you want to say "not to mention [noun]", you should use nemluvě o + locative, rather than forcing nehledě na into that role.
  • Vzhledem k: Learners sometimes confuse these because both relate to verbs of "looking" (hledět). However, they are logical opposites. Nehledě na means to ignore a factor, while vzhledem k means to focus on it (considering / due to).

Note: You may occasionally encounter the variant nehledě k + dative, but nehledě na + accusative is significantly more mainstream in modern Czech.

Examples (5)

  1. Nehledě na počasí se výlet uskuteční.

    Regardless of the weather, the trip will take place.

    Word by Word: Not-looking on weather itself trip will-take-place.

    A standard usage with a noun phrase in the accusative case.

  2. Nehledě na to, jak to uděláš, výsledek bude stejný.

    Regardless of how you do it, the result will be the same.

    Word by Word: Not-looking on it, how it you-will-do, result will-be same.

    Using 'to' as a bridge to introduce a subordinate clause.

  3. Zavedli úsporná opatření nehledě na děsivou vyhlídku nulového růstu.

    They introduced austerity measures, notwithstanding the terrifying prospect of zero growth.

    Word by Word: They-introduced saving measures not-looking on terrifying prospect of-zero growth.

    A highly formal, journalistic sentence demonstrating the elevated register of this pattern.

  4. Nehledě na jeho věk podal vynikající výkon.

    Regardless of his age, he delivered an outstanding performance.

    Word by Word: Not-looking on his age he-delivered outstanding performance.

    Dismissing a variable (age) that failed to affect the outcome.

  5. Projekt byl úspěšný nehledě na to, že jsme měli málo času.

    The project was successful, apart from the fact that we had little time.

    Word by Word: Project was successful not-looking on it, that we-are had little of-time.

    Using 'nehledě na to, že' to acknowledge a factor that did not prevent success.

Common Mistakes

  • Applying transgressive agreement rules to a fossilized preposition.

    Nehledíc na únavu, pokračovala v práci.
    Nehledě na únavu, pokračovala v práci.

    Because 'nehledě' originates from a present transgressive, advanced learners sometimes try to make it agree with feminine or plural subjects (creating forms like 'nehledíc' or 'nehledíce'). However, as a fossilized preposition, 'nehledě na' is strictly invariable and never changes its form, regardless of who the subject is.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

nehledě na + AccusativeLevel 6Apart from or Regardless of Nehledě Na

Learn This First

To learn 'nehledě na', a learner needs to understand that it is a formal, fixed expression derived from a transgressive (nehledě). Additionally, the learner must be comfortable with the accusative case, as this prepositional phrase requires the noun following it to be in the accusative.

Words in This Pattern

hledět