〜にかかわらず / 〜にかかわりなく
ni kakawarazu / ni kakawarinaku
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
regardless of, whether or not
〜にかかわらず means "regardless of X": whatever X is, the result stays the same. The noun before it is something that could vary (age, weather, experience, yes or no), and the main clause applies to every case. It is a neutral, rule-like expression rather than an emotional one.
Written and formal spoken Japanese: notices, job advertisements, regulations, announcements (年齢にかかわらず / 天候にかかわらず). 〜にかかわりなく is a slightly stiffer variant. In conversation people usually say 〜に関係なく or 〜でも.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + にかかわらず / にかかわりなくVerb affirmative + Verb negative + にかかわらず (行く行かないにかかわらず)Adjective + Adjective negative + にかかわらず (好き嫌いにかかわらず)Set nouns of variation: 年齢・性別・経験・天候・国籍・有無・多少
Visual diagram
| Aspect | 〜にかかわらず | 〜にもかかわらず |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | regardless of (any X) | despite (a specific X) |
| Front word | a noun of variation: 年齢, 天候, 有無 | a concrete fact: 雨, 努力した |
| Feeling | neutral rule | surprise or contradiction (= のに) |
| Example | 天候にかかわらず行う (rain or shine) | 雨にもかかわらず行った (even though it rained) |
Natural examples
年齢にかかわらず、誰でも参加できる。
ねんれいにかかわらず、だれでもさんかできる。
Anyone can participate regardless of age.
年齢 is a typical noun of variation: the rule holds for young and old alike.
天候にかかわらず、大会は行われる。
てんこうにかかわらず、たいかいはおこなわれる。
The event will be held regardless of the weather.
Formal announcement wording. The event happens whether the weather is good or bad.
出席する、しないにかかわらず、返事をください。
しゅっせきする、しないにかかわらず、へんじをください。
Please reply whether or not you will attend.
Affirmative + negative of the same verb (する、しない) is a set pattern before にかかわらず.
経験の有無にかかわらず、応募できます。
けいけんのうむにかかわらず、おうぼできます。
You may apply whether or not you have experience.
有無 (presence or absence) is one of the most common nouns before this pattern.
金額の多少にかかわりなく、寄付は受け付けております。
きんがくのたしょうにかかわりなく、きふはうけつけております。
Donations are accepted regardless of the amount.
〜にかかわりなく is the stiffer written variant; 多少 = large or small.
Similar grammar and the difference
Nearly the same meaning and register; を問わず is even more typical in recruitment notices (経験を問わず). にかかわらず accepts verb pairs (行く行かない); を問わず prefers nouns. Compare side by side
Looks similar but means "despite", with surprise. It follows a specific fact, not a variable. Compare side by side
〜に関係なく
Everyday spoken equivalent: 年齢に関係なく. Use it in conversation.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 雨にかかわらず、試合は行われた。
- ✓
- 雨にもかかわらず、試合は行われた。
- Why
- The sentence talks about a specific fact (it rained) and a surprising outcome, so it needs にもかかわらず ("despite"). にかかわらず would need a variable such as 天候.
- ✗
- 忙しいにかかわらず、参加してください。
- ✓
- 忙しいかどうかにかかわらず、参加してください。/ 忙しくても、参加してください。
- Why
- A single adjective cannot be a "variable". Make it a pair or a question (かどうか), or simply use ても.
- ✗
- 年齢にかかわらずに、参加できる。
- ✓
- 年齢にかかわらず、参加できる。
- Why
- にかかわらず is already adverbial; do not add another に or ずに.
Nouns before にかかわらず are usually things with a range: 年齢, 性別, 国籍, 経験, 天候, 有無, 多少, 大小, 良し悪し. The main clause is typically a rule, a permission, or a fixed plan (〜できる / 〜が行われる / 〜が必要だ). 〜にかかわりなく means the same thing but appears mostly in written regulations.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- Watch for the one-character trap: にかかわらず (regardless) versus にもかかわらず (despite). If the first clause is a specific fact and the second is surprising, choose にも.
- In 文法形式の判断, a pair like 行く行かない or 有無・多少 before the blank almost always signals にかかわらず / を問わず.
- In 並べ替え, keep 〜の有無 + にかかわらず together as one chunk.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜にかかわらず / 〜にかかわりなく mean?
regardless of, whether or not. 〜にかかわらず means "regardless of X": whatever X is, the result stays the same. The noun before it is something that could vary (age, weather, experience, yes or no), and the main clause applies to every case. It is a neutral, rule-like expression rather than an emotional one.
How do you form 〜にかかわらず / 〜にかかわりなく?
Noun + にかかわらず / にかかわりなく / Verb affirmative + Verb negative + にかかわらず (行く行かないにかかわらず) / Adjective + Adjective negative + にかかわらず (好き嫌いにかかわらず) / Set nouns of variation: 年齢・性別・経験・天候・国籍・有無・多少. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜にかかわらず / 〜にかかわりなく used?
Written and formal spoken Japanese: notices, job advertisements, regulations, announcements (年齢にかかわらず / 天候にかかわらず). 〜にかかわりなく is a slightly stiffer variant. In conversation people usually say 〜に関係なく or 〜でも.
What is the difference between 〜にかかわらず / 〜にかかわりなく and 〜を問わず?
Nearly the same meaning and register; を問わず is even more typical in recruitment notices (経験を問わず). にかかわらず accepts verb pairs (行く行かない); を問わず prefers nouns.
What is the difference between 〜にかかわらず / 〜にかかわりなく and 〜にもかかわらず?
Looks similar but means "despite", with surprise. It follows a specific fact, not a variable.
What is a common mistake with 〜にかかわらず / 〜にかかわりなく?
Wrong: 雨にかかわらず、試合は行われた。 Right: 雨にもかかわらず、試合は行われた。 The sentence talks about a specific fact (it rained) and a surprising outcome, so it needs にもかかわらず ("despite"). にかかわらず would need a variable such as 天候.
Quick check
国籍（ ）、誰でもこの奨学金に応募できます。