〜に関わらず

Regardless of

Level 4Sounds Like nikakawarazu

〜に関わらず（にかかわらず）means 'regardless of' or 'irrespective of.' It indicates that a situation or action is not influenced by the preceding factor, such as age, weather, or whether someone does something.

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
〜に関わらず is used when you want to state that a certain fact or action remains the same, no matter what the circumstances are. It suggests that while a factor could normally influence a result, in this case, it is being ignored or has no effect.

2. Grammatical Structures

  • Nouns: Attaches directly to nouns that represent a category or range.
    Example: 年齢（ねんれい）に関わらず (Regardless of age)
  • Antonym Pairs: Often used with pairs of opposite nouns.
    Example: 晴雨（せいう）に関わらず (Regardless of rain or shine)
  • Verbs/Adjectives (Whether or not): Uses the pattern [Dictionary Form] + か + [Negative Form] + ないか + に関わらず, or simply [Dictionary Form] + かどうかに関わらず.
    Example: 行くか行かないかに関わらず (Regardless of whether you go or not)
    Example: 良いか悪いかに関わらず (Regardless of whether it is good or bad)

3. Register and Nuance
This is a formal expression. In casual conversation, speakers usually prefer 〜ても or 〜に関係（かんけい）なく. You will frequently see this in official documents, news, and formal announcements.

4. Kanji Note
While sometimes written as 拘わらず, the version に関わらず is very common. In official public documents, it is often written entirely in hiragana as かかわらず because the kanji '拘' is not included in the Joyo Kanji list for this specific reading.

Examples (4)

  1. 理由の如何に関わらず、予約のキャンセルはできません。

    Regardless of the reason, reservations cannot be canceled.

    Word by Word: Reason / of / how / regardless / reservation / of / cancel / cannot do.

    理由の如何（りゆうのいかん） is a very formal way to say 'whatever the reason.' This is a common phrase in business policies.

  2. この大会は、経験の有無に関わらず、誰でも参加できます。

    Anyone can participate in this tournament, regardless of whether they have experience or not.

    Word by Word: This / tournament / as for / experience / of / existence or nonexistence / regardless / anyone / can participate.

    有無（うむ） means 'existence or non-existence.' Using pairs of opposites like this is a classic way to use this grammar.

  3. 晴雨に関わらず、明日のイベントは行われます。

    The event will be held tomorrow, regardless of rain or shine.

    Word by Word: Clear or rain / regardless / tomorrow / of / event / is held.

    晴雨（せいう） is a formal compound for 'clear weather or rain.' It sets a range of weather conditions that won't affect the event.

  4. 結果が良いか悪いかに関わらず、全力を尽くすことが大切だ。

    Regardless of whether the result is good or bad, it is important to do your best.

    Word by Word: Result / subject / good / or / bad / or / regardless / best / exert / thing / subject / important / is.

    This shows the pattern used with adjectives in a 'whether A or B' structure.

Common Mistakes

  • Confusing 'Regardless' with 'Despite' (Adversative)

    雨に関わらず、彼は外に出た。
    雨にも関わらず、彼は外に出た。

    〜に関わらず means the condition is irrelevant to the plan. If you want to say 'Despite the rain' (something happened contrary to expectations), you must use 〜にもかかわらず (adding the particle も).

  • Using it with a single noun that doesn't imply a range

    先生に関わらず、学校へ行きます。
    先生の都合に関わらず、学校へ行きます。

    You cannot just say 'Regardless of the teacher.' You must use a noun that implies variety or choice, like 'the teacher's convenience' (都合) or 'the teacher's opinion' (意見).

How It Connects

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

〜に関わらずLevel 4Regardless of

Learn This First

〜に関わらず is a formal expression meaning 'regardless of' or 'no matter'. It is formed by the verb 関わる (to relate/concern) in its negative continuative form (関わらず). To understand this pattern, learners need to be familiar with the particle 'に' used for targets, how verbs are negated in formal/written styles, and how to attach these structures to nouns.

Words in This Pattern

関わらず