# いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず: regardless of; whether or not; doesn't matter whether ~

> Learn how to use いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning regardless of, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-ikan-ni-kakawarazu-ikan-ni-yorazu-ikan-o-towazu/

**いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず** means **regardless of; whether or not; doesn't matter whether ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern that states a rule, intention, or outcome is unaffected by the circumstances or specifics of a situation.

This grammar point often appears in formal announcements, business documents, policy statements, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to express that something holds true no matter what the situation is, **いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず** is a pattern that adds precision and a formal, authoritative tone to your Japanese.

<div class="pullquote">
Regardless of the outcome, regardless of the reason — this pattern makes your stance ironclad.
</div>

## What does いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず mean?

Use **いかんにかかわらず**, **いかんによらず**, or **いかんをとわず** when you want to express that something is not dependent on a particular circumstance — that the result, rule, or action remains the same **regardless of** that factor.

Natural translations include:
- regardless of
- whether or not
- it doesn’t matter whether ~

All three expressions are largely interchangeable. They differ only slightly in register and frequency: **いかんにかかわらず** is the most common in formal writing, **いかんによらず** is its direct equivalent, and **いかんをとわず** often appears in set phrases or when emphasising “we don’t even ask about the circumstances”.

## How to form いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず

Noun + の + いかん + にかかわらず / によらず / をとわず

The core is the word **いかん (<ruby>如何<rp>(</rp><rt>いかが</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>)**, meaning “how; what state; circumstances.” It attaches to a preceding noun with **の** to form a phrase like “the state of N,” after which you add the fixed expression.

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">の</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">いかん</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">にかかわらず</span>
</div>
<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">の</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">いかん</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">によらず</span>
</div>
<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">の</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">いかん</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">をとわず</span>
</div>

Examples of the pattern:
- <ruby>結果<rp>(</rp><rt>けっか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のいかんにかかわらず
- <ruby>理由<rp>(</rp><rt>りゆう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のいかんによらず
- <ruby>年齢<rp>(</rp><rt>ねんれい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のいかんをとわず

In legal or very terse writing you may occasionally see the の dropped, but keeping it is safer for learners.

## When is いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず used?

Use these patterns in situations like:
- announcing a fixed policy, rule, or principle
- stating that a decision or action will not be influenced by any variable
- writing official documents, business emails, or academic arguments
- emphasising determination or impartiality

Tone and register:
- **formal** — typical of written Japanese, speeches, and official contexts
- not used in casual conversation unless for ironic or emphatic effect

## いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず example sentences

<div class="examples">

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>結果<rt>けっか</rt></ruby>の<strong>いかんにかかわらず</strong>、<ruby>全力<rt>ぜんりょく</rt></ruby>を<ruby>尽<rt>つ</rt></ruby>くします。</div>
<div class="example-en">Regardless of the outcome, I will do my best.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">determination</span><span class="example-tag">formal</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>理由<rt>りゆう</rt></ruby>の<strong>いかんによらず</strong>、<ruby>遅刻<rt>ちこく</rt></ruby>は<ruby>認<rt>みと</rt></ruby>められない。</div>
<div class="example-en">Late arrivals will not be accepted regardless of the reason.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">rule</span><span class="example-tag">business</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>年齢<rt>ねんれい</rt></ruby>・<ruby>性別<rt>せいべつ</rt></ruby>の<strong>いかんをとわず</strong>、<ruby>応募<rt>おうぼ</rt></ruby>できます。</div>
<div class="example-en">You can apply regardless of age or gender.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">policy</span><span class="example-tag">official</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>天候<rt>てんこう</rt></ruby>の<strong>いかんにかかわらず</strong>、<ruby>大会<rt>たいかい</rt></ruby>は<ruby>予定通<rt>よていどお</rt></ruby>り<ruby>開催<rt>かいさい</rt></ruby>します。</div>
<div class="example-en">The tournament will be held as scheduled regardless of the weather.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">announcement</span><span class="example-tag">written</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>試験<rt>しけん</rt></ruby>の<ruby>合否<rt>ごうひ</rt></ruby>の<strong>いかんによらず</strong>、<ruby>努力<rt>どりょく</rt></ruby>は<ruby>無駄<rt>むだ</rt></ruby>ではない。</div>
<div class="example-en">Regardless of whether you pass or fail the exam, the effort is not wasted.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">encouragement</span><span class="example-tag">formal</span></div>
</div>

<div class="example">
<div class="example-jp"><ruby>国籍<rt>こくせき</rt></ruby>の<strong>いかんをとわず</strong>、<ruby>参加<rt>さんか</rt></ruby>を<ruby>歓迎<rt>かんげい</rt></ruby>します。</div>
<div class="example-en">We welcome participation regardless of nationality.</div>
<div class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">invitation</span><span class="example-tag">policy</span></div>
</div>

</div>

## Nuance of いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず

The key nuance is **unwavering uniformity**: the speaker declares that the statement holds true under **any** set of circumstances connected with the noun. It’s not just “even if…,” it’s “and the circumstances don’t even enter the equation.”

This matters because:

- It signals firmness — a rule, a principle, a promise — not just indifference.
- **いかんをとわず** literally means “without asking about the circumstances,” so it often appears in contexts where the entity making the decision chooses not to scrutinise the variable (age, gender, background). That gives it a slightly more “open-door” feel, but the core logic is the same.

## いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず vs いかんによっては

Both patterns revolve around **いかん (circumstances)**, but they pull in opposite directions.

<div class="compare">
<div class="cmp a">
<div class="cmp-head">いかんにかかわらず</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">regardless of</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Used when the outcome is the <strong>same</strong> under any circumstances.</div>
<div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>結果<rp>(</rp><rt>けっか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のいかんにかかわらず、<ruby>報告<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうこく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>してください。</div>
<div class="cmp-eg-en">Regardless of the result, please report it.</div>
</div>
<div class="cmp b">
<div class="cmp-head">いかんによっては</div>
<div class="cmp-sub">depending on</div>
<div class="cmp-when">Used when the outcome <strong>changes</strong> based on the circumstances.</div>
<div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>結果<rp>(</rp><rt>けっか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のいかんによっては、<ruby>計画<rp>(</rp><rt>けいかく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>を<ruby>変更<rp>(</rp><rt>へんこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>します。</div>
<div class="cmp-eg-en">Depending on the result, we may change the plan.</div>
</div>
</div>

If both translations seem possible, ask yourself: “Is the speaker saying the situation **does** or **doesn’t** influence what happens next?” That’s your clue.

## Common mistakes with いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず

<div class="mistakes">

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline bad">
<span class="mark bad">❌</span>
<span class="mline-body"><ruby>結果<rp>(</rp><rt>けっか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>いかんにかかわらず、すぐに<ruby>連絡<rp>(</rp><rt>れんらく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>します。</span>
</div>
<div class="mline good">
<span class="mark good">✅</span>
<span class="mline-body"><ruby>結果<rp>(</rp><rt>けっか</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><strong>の</strong>いかんにかかわらず、すぐに<ruby>連絡<rp>(</rp><rt>れんらく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>します。</span>
</div>
<div class="note">The の before いかん is nearly always required. Omitting it sounds clipped and unnatural.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
<div class="mline bad">
<span class="mark bad">❌</span>
<span class="mline-body">いかんにかかわらず、<ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>降っ<rp>(</rp><rt>ふっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ている。</span>
</div>
<div class="mline good">
<span class="mark good">✅</span>
<span class="mline-body"><ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>降っ<rp>(</rp><rt>ふっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ているかいないかに<ruby>関わら<rp>(</rp><rt>かかわら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ず、<ruby>出かけ<rp>(</rp><rt>でかけ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ます。</span>
</div>
<div class="note">The pattern must attach to a noun (with の) that names the variable. It cannot float by itself at the start of a sentence without that anchor.</div>
</div>

</div>

## Is いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <span class="jlpt-shield">N1</span>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <strong>Yes.</strong> These expressions are firmly in the <strong>JLPT N1</strong> grammar list. They appear in reading comprehension questions that test your ability to recognise formal, principle‑based logic. The test may ask you to choose between いかんにかかわらず and いかんによっては, so understanding the opposite nuance is essential.
  </div>
  <div class="jlpt-checks">
    <span>✅ recognise in reading</span>
    <span>✅ understand nuance</span>
    <span>✅ use in simple formal sentences</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Practice questions for いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず

<div class="prompts">

<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">1</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Write a company rule using <strong>いかんにかかわらず</strong>.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">business</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">2</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Use <strong>いかんによらず</strong> to state a personal principle you would never compromise on.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">expression</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">3</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Create a sign-up page notice with <strong>いかんをとわず</strong>.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">policy</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
<span class="prompt-num">4</span>
<span class="prompt-text">Compare your sentence with a version using <strong>いかんによっては</strong> and explain how the meaning shifts.</span>
<span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
</div>

</div>

## Learning path for いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず

<div class="path">

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">1</span>
<span class="step-body">Memorise the full formation: <strong>Noun + の + いかん</strong> + the fixed ending. Write it five times.</span>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">2</span>
<span class="step-body">Learn the opposite pattern <strong>いかんによっては</strong> (depending on) so the contrast becomes clear. Link: <a href="/blog/n1-ikan-da-ikan-dewa-ikan-ni-yotte-wa/">いかんによっては</a>.</span>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">3</span>
<span class="step-body">Collect 3 real‑world examples from news articles or company websites. Notice how the variable noun is chosen.</span>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">4</span>
<span class="step-body">In a practice paragraph, use <strong>いかんにかかわらず</strong> once and <strong>いかんによっては</strong> once, ensuring the logic is consistent.</span>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
<span class="step-num">5</span>
<span class="step-body">Test yourself with a JLPT‑style question: given a sentence, choose the correct ending from the two patterns.</span>
</div>

</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [いかんによっては / いかんでは](/blog/n1-ikan-da-ikan-dewa-ikan-ni-yotte-wa/) — the direct opposite: “depending on the circumstances of ~”. Mastering the pair makes both patterns stick.
- [いかなる](/blog/n1-ikanaru/) — a formal adjective meaning “whatever kind of”, often used with the same principled tone.
- [いかに](/blog/n1-ikani/) — adverbial “in what way; however”, appearing in constructions like いかに～ても (no matter how).
- [<ruby>放題<rp>(</rp><rt>ほうだい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>](/blog/n1-houdai/) — “as much as you like” suffix; complements the “regardless” family when talking about unrestricted actions.

## Learn いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず with Hane

If you want to review **いかんにかかわらず / いかんによらず / いかんをとわず** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)