# をよそに: despite; without regards to ~ > Learn how to use をよそに, a JLPT N1 grammar meaning despite or without regards to, with formation, examples, comparisons, and common mistakes. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-o-yoso-ni/ **をよそに** means **despite; without regards to ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern that signals someone’s action unfolds while completely ignoring a surrounding concern, warning, or expectation — often with a hint of criticism or disbelief. This grammar point frequently shows up in editorials, literary prose, and N1 reading comprehension passages. If you need to describe a situation where a person acts as though a perfectly valid worry or piece of advice doesn’t exist, **をよそに** is the precise tool to add that layer of judgement to your Japanese.
Core idea: A concern or expectation exists, but someone carries on as if it didn’t — usually with a critical or ironic tone.
## What does をよそに mean? Use **をよそに** when an action or state continues *in defiance of* or *completely ignoring* a tangible worry, advice, expectation, or public opinion. The ignored element is often something that, from the speaker’s perspective, should have influenced the person’s behaviour. Natural translations include: - despite; without regards to; in defiance of; with no heed paid to The best English rendering depends on context, but always keep the “intentional disregard” flavour in mind. The pattern almost never applies to neutral natural forces — it targets a person’s or group’s *choice* to ignore something. ## How to form をよそに Attach **をよそに** directly to a noun that represents a concern, expectation, or outside voice. The noun is often abstract.
N + をよそに
Common nouns that pair naturally with this pattern: - 心配(しんぱい) — worry - 期待(きたい) — expectations - 忠告(ちゅうこく) — advice/warning - 不安(ふあん) — unease - 非難(ひなん) — criticism - 声(こえ)／意見(いけん) — voices/opinions You’ll also see it with noun phrases like 周囲(しゅうい)の反対(はんたい) (opposition from those around) or 親(おや)の願い(ねがい) (parents’ wishes). The noun must be the thing being disregarded, not the person doing the disregarding. ## When is をよそに used? Wield **をよそに** in these situations: - Criticising someone for ignoring well-meaning advice or warnings - Describing a character who recklessly pushes forward while others worry - Depicting the gap between public sentiment and an authority’s actions - Adding an ironic twist to a situation where expectations are trampled Tone and register: - Moderately formal; common in newspaper editorials, essays, and literary narration. - Carries a critical or at least evaluative stance — it’s rarely neutral. - In speech, it can sound literary or slightly dramatic; casual conversation often opts for simpler contrasts like **のに** or **くせに**. This pattern shows up frequently in N1 reading sections where the author’s attitude is being tested. ## をよそに example sentences

家族(かぞく)の心配をよそに、彼(かれ)は会社(かいしゃ)を辞め(やめ)て旅(たび)に出(で)た。

Despite his family’s worries, he quit his job and set off travelling.

Ignoring concern

周囲(しゅうい)の反対をよそに、二人(ふたり)は結婚(けっこん)を決め(きめ)た。

In defiance of everyone’s opposition, the two decided to marry.

Defying advice

国民(こくみん)の不安をよそに、政府(せいふ)はその法案(ほうあん)を強行(きょうこう)した。

Without regard for the public’s unease, the government rammed the bill through.

Ignoring public sentiment

親(おや)の忠告をよそに、彼(かれ)は危険(きけん)な投資(とうし)に手(て)を出し(だし)た。

Brushing off his parents’ warnings, he dabbled in risky investments.

Ignoring warnings

大勢(おおぜい)の期待をよそに、その選手(せんしゅ)は予選(よせん)で敗れ(やぶれ)てしまった。

Going against everyone’s high hopes, the athlete lost in the qualifying round.

Contrasting expectations
In each sentence, the disregarded noun represents something that *should* have altered the outcome. The grammar’s job is to highlight that it didn’t — and the tone often implies the speaker finds that remarkable or disappointing. ## Nuance of をよそに The core nuance is **active disregard**. This isn’t a neutral “despite the rain” construction; it’s about a human (or group) choosing to ignore a clearly present factor. The word **よそに** itself is related to **よそ** (other place, elsewhere), so the literal image is “treating X as something that belongs somewhere else and has nothing to do with me.” This nuance brings a few specific colourings: - **Judgement:** The pattern often carries mild to strong criticism. If you say someone acted 心配(しんぱい)をよそに, you’re implying their decision was reckless or thoughtless. - **Ironic contrast:** When the expectation is positive and the result negative (e.g., 期待(きたい)をよそに失敗(しっぱい)した), the gap feels especially poignant. - **Not for inanimate forces:** It would sound unnatural to say ｢雨(あめ)をよそに散歩(さんぽ)した｣ (the rain doesn’t carry a “concern” or “advice” nuance). Stick to human-related abstract nouns.
💡
Think of をよそに as “acting as if the worry existed in another world.” That separation is precisely what creates the judgemental overtone.
## をよそに vs にもかかわらず Both patterns translate to “despite,” but the speaker’s stance differs sharply.
をよそに
Active disregard — often critical
Used when the ignored factor involves human concern, advice, or expectation, and the speaker views the action as inappropriate.
両親(りょうしん)の心配(しんぱい)をよそに、彼(かれ)は夜遊び(よあそび)を続け(つづけ)た。
Defying his parents’ worries, he kept going out at night.
にもかかわらず
Factual contrast — neutral or formal
A general “despite” that works with any type of obstacle (objective fact, condition, action) without implying judgement.
両親(りょうしん)が心配(しんぱい)していたにもかかわらず、彼(かれ)は遊び(あそび)続け(つづけ)た。
Even though his parents were worried, he kept on playing.
vs
If you swap **をよそに** for **にもかかわらず**, you lose the layer of “they should have listened” — the sentence becomes a simple statement of fact. On the JLPT, a question might test whether you can sense the author’s critical tone and pick the pattern that aligns with it. ## Common mistakes with をよそに
❌
天気予報(てんきよほう)をよそに、快晴(かいせい)だった。
✅
天気予報(てんきよほう)に反し(はんし)て、快晴(かいせい)だった。
Weather is an inanimate condition, not a voiced concern. Use に反し(はんし)て (contrary to) instead.
❌
彼(かれ)の努力(どりょく)をよそに、失敗(しっぱい)した。
✅
期待(きたい)をよそに、失敗(しっぱい)した。
“His effort” isn’t a surrounding concern or outside voice. Replace with 期待(きたい) (expectations) or use にもかかわらず.
❌
先生(せんせい)をよそに、寝(ね)てしまった。
✅
先生(せんせい)の忠告(ちゅうこく)をよそに、寝(ね)てしまった。
The noun must be the *thing ignored*, not the person who voiced it. Add 忠告(ちゅうこく) or 注意(ちゅうい) to make the pattern natural.
A good habit: after writing a sentence with **をよそに**, check whether the noun could be naturally described as “a concern/warning/expectation that should have mattered.” If not, you probably need a different pattern. ## Is をよそに on the JLPT?
N1

をよそに is standard N1 grammar. It appears in the 文法(ぶんぽう) (grammar) section and is equally important for reading comprehension.

✔ Recognise the critical nuance in a passage
✔ Select it over neutral patterns when the tone is judgemental
✔ Understand the noun restriction (only abstract concern-type nouns)
✔ Pick the form that correctly follows the noun — direct attachment, no の
In the exam, distractors often pair **をよそに** with inappropriate nouns (concrete objects or people) or place it where a neutral contrast like **のに** would feel more natural. Train your ear for the “voice” of the sentence — that will guide your choice. ## Practice questions for をよそに
1
Use をよそに to describe a situation where a politician ignores public outcry. Write a full sentence.
Public sentiment
2
Write a sentence about a teenager who disregards a parent’s advice before a major decision.
Defying advice
3
Create a sentence where 期待(きたい)をよそに leads to a disappointing result, and then rewrite it using にもかかわらず. How does the tone change?
Comparing patterns
4
The company’s leaders pushed through layoffs while employees pleaded for their jobs. Express this with をよそに.
Workplace context
Keep your early attempts straightforward — subject, ignored concern, and resulting action. Once the pattern feels comfortable, try placing it mid-sentence, where the disregarded noun is part of a longer clause. ## Learning path for をよそに
1
Memorise the construction: N + をよそに. Write the pattern five times with different abstract nouns (心配(しんぱい), 期待(きたい), 忠告(ちゅうこく), 不安(ふあん), 批判(ひはん)).
2
Compare をよそに with にもかかわらず and に反し(はんし)て. For each, list which types of nouns they pair with naturally.
3
Read a short editorial or opinion piece in Japanese. Underline any instance where the author’s tone is critical; try replacing the existing contrast word with をよそに. Does it fit?
4
Write an original paragraph about a news event using をよそに at least twice. Ask a native speaker or teacher if the critical nuance comes through.
## Related grammar to review next - [を踏まえ(ふまえ)て](/blog/n1-o-fumaete/) — because it flips the perspective: instead of ignoring a factor, you actively take it into account. - [を経(へ)て](/blog/n1-o-hete/) — because it often appears in narrative timelines right before an outcome that contrasts with a previous concern. - [を控え(ひかえ)て](/blog/n1-o-hikaete/) — because it sets up an impending event, and how people act をよそに that looming pressure is a rich contrast. - [をいいことに](/blog/n1-o-ii-koto-ni/) — because it also describes an action that exploits a situation, often while ignoring the proper response. ## Learn をよそに with Hane When you’re ready to internalise **をよそに** alongside its related contrasts, Hane helps you practise with spaced‑repetition drills, sentence-level prompts, and N1‑focused reading snippets. No passive flashcards — just active recall tuned to the grammar you’re studying right now. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)