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.
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.
Examples of the pattern:
- 年齢によらず
- 性別によらず
- 経験の有無によらず
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 に関係なく may feel more conversational
- signals the speaker’s certainty that the factor is irrelevant
によらず example sentences
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 に関係なく; it declares that the factor ought not to matter, often in contexts where you are stating a principle.
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.
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:
（← によらず is not a “no matter what” connective for any situation; it needs a specific noun factor to dismiss）
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 に関係なく. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.
Is によらず on the JLPT?
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、年齢、理由、経験 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:
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.
Related grammar to review next
- に — because it also marks the purpose or circumstance under which something happens, and often pairs with formal nouns
- に値する — because it evaluates “worthy of,” often used in the same formal, judgmental contexts as によらず
- にあって — because it sets a formal situation, and you may be tempted to dismiss a factor in such a description
- に引き換え — 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:
FAQ about によらず
What does によらず mean in Japanese?
によらず means “regardless of ~” in Japanese. It is an N1 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is によらず on the JLPT?
によらず is taught as N1 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N1 patterns.
How should I practice によらず?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after によらず, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.