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〜をよそに

o yoso ni

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Meaning

ignoring …; in disregard of …

〜をよそに means "treating X as someone else's business": the subject ignores other people's worries, hopes, opposition or criticism and does what they want. よそ = "elsewhere". The sentence usually criticises the subject for being indifferent.

Formal written Japanese: news, essays, novels. The noun is a feeling or attitude of others (心配・期待・反対・批判・不安・注目). Often used about a person who acts selfishly or coolly.

Formation

V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

  • N(others' feelings / opposition) + をよそに、V
  • Typical N: 心配・期待・反対・批判・不安・騒ぎ・注目

Visual diagram

  1. 親の心配others' feelings
  2. をよそにignoring, as if unrelated
  3. 彼は一人で海外へ旅立ったaction taken regardless
Ignoring his parents' worries, he set off abroad alone.

Natural examples

  1. 親の心配をよそに、彼は一人で海外へ旅立った。

    おやのしんぱいをよそに、かれはひとりでかいがいへたびだった。

    Ignoring his parents' worries, he set off abroad alone.

    Parents' worries ignored: mild criticism of the son.

  2. 周囲の期待をよそに、彼女は突然引退を発表した。

    しゅういのきたいをよそに、かのじょはとつぜんいんたいをはっぴょうした。

    Disregarding the expectations of those around her, she suddenly announced her retirement.

    Expectations disregarded: the retirement surprised everyone.

  3. 住民の反対をよそに、工事は強行された。

    じゅうみんのはんたいをよそに、こうじはきょうこうされた。

    In disregard of residents' opposition, the construction was pushed through.

    Opposition ignored: the construction was pushed through (強行された).

  4. 周囲の騒ぎをよそに、彼は静かに本を読み続けた。

    しゅういのさわぎをよそに、かれはしずかにほんをよみつづけた。

    Paying no attention to the commotion around him, he quietly went on reading.

    A neutral, almost admiring use is also possible.

  5. 家族の反対をよそに、彼女は一人で店を開いた。

    かぞくのはんたいをよそに、かのじょはひとりでみせをひらいた。

    Disregarding her family's opposition, she opened a shop on her own.

    Opposition ignored.

Similar grammar and the difference

Common mistakes

  • ✗
    悪天候をよそに、登山を続けた。
    ✓
    悪天候をものともせず、登山を続けた。
    Why
    Weather is not someone's feeling; a brave act against an obstacle is をものともせず.
  • ✗
    私は親の心配をよそに、留学した。（自分を褒めて）
    ✓
    私は親の反対を押し切って、留学した。
    Why
    をよそに carries a hint of criticism; it is odd as self-praise.
  • ✗
    心配をよそにして、出かけた。
    ✓
    心配をよそに、出かけた。
    Why
    The fixed form is をよそに without して.

The noun is almost always about people's feelings or reactions toward the subject. Even in neutral contexts, the subject appears cool or detached. It is a common phrase in headlines: 反対をよそに / 期待をよそに.

JLPT N1 tips

On the exam

  • Others' feelings (心配・期待・反対) + blank + the subject's independent action → をよそに.
  • The key distractor is をものともせず; use をよそに for feelings of others, をものともせず for obstacles with praise.
  • にもかかわらず may also be grammatical; the exam usually forces the choice through the noun type.

Frequently asked questions

What does 〜をよそに mean?

ignoring …; in disregard of …. 〜をよそに means "treating X as someone else's business": the subject ignores other people's worries, hopes, opposition or criticism and does what they want. よそ = "elsewhere". The sentence usually criticises the subject for being indifferent.

How do you form 〜をよそに?

N(others' feelings / opposition) + をよそに、V / Typical N: 心配・期待・反対・批判・不安・騒ぎ・注目. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.

When is 〜をよそに used?

Formal written Japanese: news, essays, novels. The noun is a feeling or attitude of others (心配・期待・反対・批判・不安・注目). Often used about a person who acts selfishly or coolly.

What is the difference between 〜をよそに and 〜をものともせず?

"Undaunted by X": the subject bravely overcomes a real obstacle and is praised.

What is the difference between 〜をよそに and 〜もかまわず?

"Without minding X" (人目もかまわず): about the subject's own lack of concern for appearances.

What is a common mistake with 〜をよそに?

Wrong: 悪天候をよそに、登山を続けた。 Right: 悪天候をものともせず、登山を続けた。 Weather is not someone's feeling; a brave act against an obstacle is をものともせず.

Quick check

1 / 5Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

住民の不安（　　）、工場は稼働を再開した。