despite; without regards to ~ (をよそに) – Japanese Grammar をよそに (o yoso ni)

Q: What JLPT level is をよそに?

JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Q: How do you use をよそに in a sentence?

Attach をよそに to the appropriate verb or noun form. Despite; without regards to ~

Q: Is をよそに formal or casual Japanese?

をよそに is typically used in formal or written Japanese contexts.

をよそに

N1 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

o yoso ni

despite; without regards to ~

もので mono de はさておき wa sateoki というか〜というか to iu ka~to iu ka にとどまらず ni todomarazu とは towa こそ「〜が・けれど」 koso~ga/keredo ときたら tokitara びる / びて / びた biru / bite / bita たるもの / たる taru mono / taru によらず ni yorazu ほどのことではない hodo no koto dewa nai うちに入らない uchi ni hairanai てみせる te miseru の極み no kiwami いかなる ikanaru に忍びない ni shinobinai に値する ni atai suru といわず〜といわず to iwazu~to iwazu ともあろうものが tomo arou mono ga のなんのって no nan notte もので mono de はさておき wa sateoki というか〜というか to iu ka~to iu ka にとどまらず ni todomarazu とは towa こそ「〜が・けれど」 koso~ga/keredo ときたら tokitara びる / びて / びた biru / bite / bita たるもの / たる taru mono / taru によらず ni yorazu ほどのことではない hodo no koto dewa nai うちに入らない uchi ni hairanai てみせる te miseru の極み no kiwami いかなる ikanaru に忍びない ni shinobinai に値する ni atai suru といわず〜といわず to iwazu~to iwazu ともあろうものが tomo arou mono ga のなんのって no nan notte

🃏 Flashcard

をよそに

o yoso ni

Tap to reveal usage

despite; without regards to ~

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N1

Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms

Reading o yoso ni

Post ID 51348

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

despite; without regards to ~

📖 How to use it

This pattern expresses doing something without regard for or despite another situation or expectation.

Attaches to Attach to a noun directly with をよそに, or to a clause (plain form) followed by のをよそに. The noun/clause describes what is being ignored or treated as irrelevant.

をよそに is a written-style pattern used to describe a situation where someone acts without caring about something that would normally be a concern, or despite what others think or expect. It often carries a nuance of criticism or indifference, and is common in news reports and formal writing rather than casual conversation.

Think of it as saying 'without paying attention to ~' or 'in defiance of ~'. The thing being ignored is placed before をよそに. For example, 親の心配をよそに means 'ignoring the parents' worries'. The subject of the sentence does something that contrasts with that ignored thing.

This pattern is quite formal and literary. In everyday speech, you would more likely use ～のに構わず or ～を無視して. But at N1, you need to recognize and use it in appropriate written contexts.

彼は家族の反対をよそに、会社を辞めて海外へ旅立った。

Kare wa kazoku no hantai o yoso ni, kaisha o yamete kaigai e tabidatta.

He quit his job and left for abroad despite his family's opposition.

住民の不安をよそに、工事は予定通り始まった。

Juumin no fuan o yoso ni, kouji wa yotei doori hajimatta.

Construction began as scheduled, without regard to the residents' concerns.

天気予報の警告をよそに、多くの人が海で泳いでいた。

Tenki yohou no keikoku o yoso ni, ooku no hito ga umi de oyoide ita.

Many people were swimming in the sea, ignoring the weather forecast warnings.

Not をかえりみずをかえりみず means 'without considering' and often has a nuance of self-sacrifice or bravery, while をよそに implies indifference or neglect of something external. をかえりみず is also more literary and dramatic.

🎯 Quick Quiz

What does this grammar pattern mean or do?

をよそに

📚 How to Master This Pattern

🔊

Say It Aloud

Press Hear it and repeat をよそに three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Flip Before Reading

Always try to recall the usage before flipping the card. Struggle = learning. Every failed recall makes the next one stick harder.

✍️

Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using をよそに. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

⏰

Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N1 Patterns

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を余儀なくされる

forced to do something (no choice)

を前提として

with the intention to; on the condition

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern をよそに mean? ▼

Despite; without regards to ~

What JLPT level is をよそに? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use をよそに in a sentence? ▼

Attach をよそに (o yoso ni) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.

Is をよそに formal or casual Japanese? ▼

をよそに is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.

How can I remember をよそに long-term? ▼

Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.