# によらず: regardless of ~ > Learn how to use によらず, a JLPT N1 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-ni-yorazu/ **によらず** means **regardless of ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to state that something is true or happens **without being influenced by a particular factor** — no matter what that factor is. This grammar point often appears in academic writing, formal commentary, and news articles. If you want to say that a result, rule, or evaluation applies **whether or not** some condition holds, **によらず** gives your Japanese a precise, authoritative tone.

The result holds true no matter the condition.

## What does によらず mean? Use **によらず** when you want to say that something is valid, happens, or should be done **independently of** a specific thing. You are explicitly removing that thing as a deciding factor. Natural translations include: - regardless of; irrespective of; no matter what ~ The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form によらず Attach **によらず** directly to a **noun**. It does not connect to verbs, adjectives, or other structures without a nominalizer — the noun is the whole condition being dismissed.

Noun + によらず

Examples of the pattern: - 年齢ねんれいによらず - 性別せいべつによらず - 経験けいけんの有無うむによらず Only a noun can sit before によらず. The noun often names a category like age, gender, status, or a situation. ## When is によらず used? Use **によらず** in situations like: - stating rules or principles that apply **universally** - removing a factor that might otherwise be seen as a condition - formal or written statements — it carries a decisive, almost official tone Tone and register: - formal, often found in written Japanese (guidelines, academic papers, public announcements) - less common in casual daily speech, where にかかわらず or に関係(かんけい)なく may feel more conversational - signals the speaker’s certainty that the factor is irrelevant ## によらず example sentences

年齢ねんれいや性別せいべつによらず、応募おうぼできます。

You can apply regardless of age or gender.

#formal #guidelines

理由りゆうの如何いかんによらず、遅刻ちこくは認みとめられません。

Regardless of the reason, lateness is not allowed.

#strict #workplace

経験けいけんの有無うむによらず、意欲いよくのある方かたを歓迎かんげいします。

We welcome those who are motivated, regardless of whether they have experience or not.

#recruitment

天候てんこうによらず、大会たいかいは予定通よていどおり行おこなわれます。

The tournament will be held as scheduled regardless of the weather.

#announcement #event

結果けっかの良よし悪あしによらず、努力どりょくした事実じじつは変かわらない。

Regardless of whether the result is good or bad, the fact that you made an effort doesn’t change.

#encouragement

After reading each sentence, ask what job **によらず** is doing: it dismisses the noun as a deciding factor. The rest of the sentence then states a universal truth, rule, or observation. ## Nuance of によらず The key nuance is **the factor is irrelevant — the statement stands on its own without needing that factor to be any particular value**. This matters because learners often translate によらず as just “regardless” and then miss the formal, assertive weight it carries. It is stronger than simply saying に関係(かんけい)なく; it declares that the factor **ought not** to matter, often in contexts where you are stating a principle.

💡 Use によらず when you want to sound decisive and formal. In conversation, にかかわらず or に関係(かんけい)なく are usually softer and more natural.

## によらず vs にかかわらず Both **によらず** and **にかかわらず** mean “regardless of,” but they differ in register and focus.

によらず

Focus: the factor is not a condition at all

Often used in formal rules, declarations, and principles. The noun is the whole condition being dismissed; there is no “or not” nuance built in unless you explicitly add pairs like 良し悪し(よしあし).

年齢(ねんれい)や性別(せいべつ)によらず、応募(おうぼ)できます。

You can apply regardless of age or gender.

にかかわらず

Focus: whether the condition is A or not-A, the result is the same

More neutral in register, common in both speech and writing. The noun is often followed by a pair (e.g., する・しない) or a contrasting set. Even with a single noun, the pattern implies “whether or not this condition holds.”

年齢(ねんれい)にかかわらず、誰(だれ)でも参加(さんか)できます。

Regardless of age, anyone can participate.

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. In a formal notice or written guideline, によらず can feel more absolute and rule-like. In everyday explanation, にかかわらず is often safer and less stiff. ## Common mistakes with によらず Watch out for these mistakes:

❌

雨(あめ)が降る(ふる)によらず、出発(しゅっぱつ)します。

✅

天候(てんこう)によらず、出発(しゅっぱつ)します。

によらず must follow a noun, not a clause. Use a noun like 天候(てんこう) (“weather conditions”) to express the dismissed factor.

❌

によらず、行っ(いっ)たほうがいいですよ。

✅

何(なん)があっても、行っ(いっ)たほうがいいですよ。
（← によらず is not a “no matter what” connective for any situation; it needs a specific noun factor to dismiss）

❌

彼(かれ)が賛成(さんせい)するによらず、計画(けいかく)を進め(すすめ)ます。

✅

彼(かれ)の賛否(さんぴ)によらず、計画(けいかく)を進め(すすめ)ます。

Turn the verb into a noun (賛否(さんぴ) = approval or disapproval) before によらず. によらず requires a nominal form.

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **によらず**, then rewrite it with **にかかわらず** or **に関係(かんけい)なく**. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words. ## Is によらず on the JLPT?

✅ Grammar section ✅ Reading comprehension (formal passages) ⚠️ Less common in listening (too formal for casual dialogue)

によらず is a textbook N1 grammar point. It appears in sentence-choosing questions and in reading passages where formal, written logic is tested. You are expected to recognize that it dismisses a condition and that the rest of the sentence states a universal conclusion.

For test preparation, study **によらず** in full sentences with nouns like 性別(せいべつ)、年齢(ねんれい)、理由(りゆう)、経験(けいけん) etc. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning. ## Practice questions for によらず Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

Use によらず in a sentence about a rule that applies “regardless of nationality.”

#form

Write a sentence where the nuance of によらず is needed: the factor is officially dismissed in a company notice.

#tone

Compare によらず with にかかわらず in your own example. Change only the grammar point and explain how the nuance shifts.

#contrast

Make a sentence with a noun pair like 賛否(さんぴ) or 有無(うむ) before によらず.

#expansion

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for によらず To learn **によらず** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar dismissal patterns, and finally practice in formal contexts.

Make sure you can form によらず easily: pick five common nouns (年齢(ねんれい), 性別(せいべつ), 経験(けいけん), 国籍(こくせき), 天候(てんこう)) and attach によらず without hesitation.

Compare it with にかかわらず. Write pairs of sentences and note when the formal, declarative nuance of によらず is stronger.

Find real examples in formal Japanese—company websites, application guidelines, exam regulations—and highlight every によらず you see.

Write sentences where によらず is truly necessary (e.g., a strict rule or principle), then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

## Related grammar to review next - [に](/blog/n1-ni/) — because it also marks the purpose or circumstance under which something happens, and often pairs with formal nouns - [に値(あたい)する](/blog/n1-ni-atai-suru/) — because it evaluates “worthy of,” often used in the same formal, judgmental contexts as によらず - [にあって](/blog/n1-ni-atte/) — because it sets a formal situation, and you may be tempted to dismiss a factor in such a description - [に引き換え(ひきかえ)](/blog/n1-ni-hikikae/) — because it contrasts two things, and によらず similarly removes a factor as irrelevant to the contrast ## Learn によらず with Hane If you want to review **によらず** 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/)