にもかかわらず
nimo kakawarazu[ɲ̟imo̞ ka̠ka̠β̞a̠ɾa̠zɨ]
The English phrase 'despite' is expressed in Japanese as にもかかわらず (nimo kakawarazu).
The expression にもかかわらず is used to mean 'despite' or 'in spite of'. It serves to connect a clause or a noun phrase to a main clause that expresses a surprising or contradictory result.
Meaning: in spite of (prep)
Which one should you use?
While にもかかわらず is formal and objective, the particle のに is more colloquial and often carries a subjective tone of regret, complaint or frustration.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
にもかかわらず is a relatively formal expression frequently used in written Japanese, news reports or academic contexts. In more informal, conversational settings, you can use 〜なのに to indicate 'despite'.
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase is used to connect a clause or a noun phrase to a main clause that expresses a surprising or contradictory result.
How do you pronounce it?
nimo kakawarazu
Did you know?
- The verb かかわる inside にもかかわらず originally means 'to touch' or 'to be involved with'. Literally, the phrase suggests that something happens while not being 'touched' or 'hindered' by the circumstances.
- The phrase にもかかわらず is so formal that using it in a casual conversation with friends can make the speaker sound like they are reading a news report or acting like a robot.
- In formal Japanese writing, にもかかわらず is often replaced by the more literary 〜ながらも, which creates a poetic contrast between two opposing states.
Examples in context
- 彼は裕福であるにもかかわらず幸福ではない。Despite being rich, he is not happy.This sentence is useful for showing how to use にもかかわらず when describing a person's state of being.Tatoeba #8527293 by small_snow, translation #3289062 by Dejo
- メアリーは病気であるにもかかわらず、働き続けた。Mary carried on working, despite her illness.This sentence is useful for demonstrating how to express a contradiction regarding someone's health and actions.Tatoeba #194710 by small_snow, translation #10639858 by sundown
- 第一次世界大戦後、イタリアは密約を結んだにもかかわらず、外国領土に対して債権を全て行使することができなかった。Despite having signed a secret pact, Italy failed to enforce all its claims on foreign territories after World War I.This sentence is useful for seeing how にもかかわらず is used in a formal historical or political context.Tatoeba #10905809 by SomeHungryBois, translation #3093977 by faehrmann
- 彼は雨にもかかわらず、ピクニックに行った。Despite the rain, he went on a picnic.
- 彼女は忙しいにも関わらず、手伝ってくれた。Despite being busy, she helped me.
- 昨日は寒かったけど、遊びに行った。Despite the cold weather yesterday, I went out to have fun.
- 運動したのに疲れていない。Despite exercising, I'm not tired.
- 一生懸命勉強したのに成績が悪かった。Despite studying hard, my grades were poor.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hime and Ren are talking about the weather during a planned trip.
- 陽葵 Himari雨にもかかわらず、外に出かけますか？Ame ni mo kakawarazu, soto ni dekakemasu ka?Are you going out despite the rain?
- 蓮 Renはい、予定があるので行きます。Hai, yotei ga aru node ikimasu.Yes, I have plans, so I'm going.
- 陽葵 Himari蓮さんは本当に元気ですね。Ren-san wa hontō ni genki desu ne.You are really energetic, Ren.
- 蓮 Ren天気が悪いにもかかわらず、楽しみです。Tenki ga warui ni mo kakawarazu, tanoshimi desu.Despite the bad weather, I'm looking forward to it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry にもかかわらず, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries にもかかわらず, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
