〜を問わず
o towazu
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
regardless of, irrespective of (formal)
〜を問わず means "without asking about X", that is, regardless of X: 年齢を問わず誰でも参加できる. X is a noun with a range (age, sex, nationality, experience) or a pair (昼夜, 男女, 有無). It is the standard phrase in recruitment notices and regulations.
Written and formal spoken Japanese: job advertisements, event notices, regulations. In conversation people say 〜に関係なく. The verb 問う (to ask) gives the literal meaning 'without asking'.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + を問わずNoun + は問わず (as a topic)Typical nouns: 年齢・性別・国籍・経験・学歴・季節・天候Pairs: 昼夜を問わず / 男女を問わず / 有無を問わず / 大小を問わず
Visual diagram
| Aspect | 〜を問わず | 〜にかかわらず | 〜はともかく |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meaning | regardless of (variable) | regardless of (variable or verb pair) | setting aside (a topic) |
| Typical use | recruitment, notices | rules, announcements | conversation |
| Accepts verb pairs | no (nouns only) | yes: 行く行かないにかかわらず | no |
| Example | 経験を問わず募集 | 出席の有無にかかわらず | 味はともかく |
Natural examples
年齢を問わず、誰でも参加できます。
ねんれいをとわず、だれでもさんかできます。
Anyone can participate regardless of age.
A typical event notice: anyone regardless of age.
この仕事は経験を問わず募集している。
このしごとはけいけんをとわずぼしゅうしている。
This job is open to applicants regardless of experience.
A job advertisement: experience not required.
昼夜を問わず、工事が続いている。
ちゅうやをとわず、こうじがつづいている。
Construction continues day and night.
A pair noun: day and night.
この大会は、プロ・アマを問わず参加できる。
このたいかいは、プロ・アマをとわずさんかできる。
This tournament is open to both professionals and amateurs.
A pair of categories.
当店は季節を問わず、新鮮な魚を提供しております。
とうてんはきせつをとわず、しんせんなさかなをていきょうしております。
Our shop offers fresh fish regardless of the season.
Business notice language.
Similar grammar and the difference
Nearly the same; also accepts verb pairs (行く行かない). Compare side by side
〜に関係なく
Spoken equivalent.
"Heedless of" (a person ignoring something); not a rule. Compare side by side
"Setting aside" a topic; not a rule. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 行く行かないを問わず
- ✓
- 行く行かないにかかわらず
- Why
- を問わず takes nouns only; for verb pairs use にかかわらず.
- ✗
- 雨を問わず、試合を行う。
- ✓
- 天候を問わず、試合を行う。
- Why
- The noun must be a category with a range (天候), not a single case (雨).
- ✗
- 年齢が問わず
- ✓
- 年齢を問わず
- Why
- The particle is を.
Job ads: 経験・学歴を問わず / 年齢不問 (the noun 不問 is related). 昼夜を問わず = around the clock. は問わず appears when the noun is topicalized: 国籍は問いません (polite verb form).
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence looks like a notice or job ad and the noun is 年齢 / 性別 / 経験 / 国籍, choose を問わず.
- If a verb pair precedes the blank, を問わず is wrong; choose にかかわらず.
- Pair nouns (昼夜, 男女, 有無) strongly signal を問わず.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜を問わず mean?
regardless of, irrespective of (formal). 〜を問わず means "without asking about X", that is, regardless of X: 年齢を問わず誰でも参加できる. X is a noun with a range (age, sex, nationality, experience) or a pair (昼夜, 男女, 有無). It is the standard phrase in recruitment notices and regulations.
How do you form 〜を問わず?
Noun + を問わず / Noun + は問わず (as a topic) / Typical nouns: 年齢・性別・国籍・経験・学歴・季節・天候 / Pairs: 昼夜を問わず / 男女を問わず / 有無を問わず / 大小を問わず. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜を問わず used?
Written and formal spoken Japanese: job advertisements, event notices, regulations. In conversation people say 〜に関係なく. The verb 問う (to ask) gives the literal meaning 'without asking'.
What is the difference between 〜を問わず and 〜にかかわらず / 〜にかかわりなく?
Nearly the same; also accepts verb pairs (行く行かない).
What is the difference between 〜を問わず and 〜に関係なく?
Spoken equivalent.
What is a common mistake with 〜を問わず?
Wrong: 行く行かないを問わず Right: 行く行かないにかかわらず を問わず takes nouns only; for verb pairs use にかかわらず.
Quick check
このボランティアは、経験の有無（ ）、誰でも参加できます。