# といわず～といわず: both; not only A or B, but (overall) ~ > Learn how to use といわず～といわず, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning both, not only A or B, but overall, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-to-iwazu-to-iwazu/ **といわず～といわず** means **both; not only A or B, but (overall) ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to express that a state or condition applies pervasively, without distinguishing between separate parts or times. This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to emphasise that something isn’t limited to A or B — it covers everything in between — **といわず～といわず** is a precision tool that makes your Japanese sound sharper and more natural. > Use といわず～といわず to say “not just A or B, but the whole thing.” ## What does といわず～といわず mean? Use **といわず～といわず** when you want to express that a situation, condition, or action is pervasive — it doesn’t stop at the two listed items, but extends to everything around them. Think of picking two representative parts of a whole to say “everywhere” or “all the time.” Natural translations include: - both A and B (and by extension everything) - not only A or B, but overall ~ - regardless of whether it’s A or B The best translation depends on the sentence. First feel the speaker’s intention — complaint, surprise, description — then match the English that carries that same scope. ## How to form といわず～といわず
Noun A + といわず + Noun B + といわず
The nouns are usually contrasting parts of a whole (extremities, times of day, age groups, etc.) — they stand for a spectrum. You attach **といわず** to each noun, and the phrase as a whole describes a condition that spans the entire range.
手(て)といわず 足(あし)といわず
朝(あさ)といわず 夜(よる)といわず
子供(こども)といわず 大人(おとな)といわず
The form before the grammar point is always a noun. In JLPT questions, wrong answer choices often try to attach the pattern to adjectives or verbs — watch out for that. ## When is といわず～といわず used? Use **といわず～といわず** in situations like: - describing dirt, noise, mess, or a condition that is all over a space, body, or time period - expressing that everyone, regardless of age or role, does something - complaining or remarking that something happens constantly, day and night Tone and register: - emphatic, often carries a touch of emotion (surprise, frustration, admiration) - equally at home in spoken complaints and written reports - fits both casual conversation and formal narration ## といわず～といわず example sentences
手といわず足といわず泥だらけになった。
Both my hands and feet — actually, my whole body — ended up covered in mud.
pervasive state
朝といわず夜といわず工事の音がうるさい。
Not just morning or night — the construction noise is annoying around the clock.
time
犬といわず猫といわずペットの毛が部屋中に落ちている。
Not just the dog or the cat — pet hair is all over the room, everywhere.
space
この地域では、子供といわず大人といわずその祭りを楽しんでいる。
In this area, both children and adults alike enjoy the festival — everyone does.
people
パソコンといわずスマホといわず、画面の見過ぎで目が疲れた。
Whether it was the computer or the smartphone, my eyes are tired from too much screen time overall.
cause
雨の日といわず晴れの日といわず、彼は毎日ジョギングする。
Rain or shine, he jogs every single day without exception.
habit
After reading each sentence, ask what job **といわず～といわず** is doing: it takes two representative nouns and says “there is no meaningful boundary — the condition extends everywhere.” That mental image sticks better than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of といわず～といわず The key nuance is **pervasiveness: the state applies to the whole, not just the named parts.** When you say `手といわず足といわず泥だらけ`, you aren’t just reporting that hands and feet are muddy — you’re painting a picture of a person completely covered in mud. The two nouns are chosen because they are far apart on the body; together they imply “from one end to the other.” Similarly, `朝といわず夜といわず` means “all day long” or “from morning to night (and all hours in between).” The pattern tells the listener: don’t think about the specific items — the point is the entire span. This differs sharply from simple listing patterns like `も〜も` or `や〜など`, which simply add items. **といわず** always carries that sweeping, everywhere-at-once feeling.
💡
Using といわず is also a way to express strong emotion — often irritation, astonishment, or admiration. When a learner reaches for this pattern, it signals advanced awareness of tone.
## といわず～といわず vs も〜も Both patterns can translate to “both A and B,” but the scope is completely different.
といわず～といわず
pervasive, whole-of
The condition covers the entire range, not just A and B. A and B are tokens; the real subject is “everything in between.”
手(て)といわず足(あし)といわず泥(どろ)だらけだ。
Not just hands and feet — the whole body is muddy.
vs
も〜も
enumerative, itemised
It simply states that both A and B have a property. There is no implication about areas beyond those two items.
手(て)も足(あし)も泥(どろ)だらけだ。
Both my hands and feet are muddy. (The rest of the body may or may not be.)
If both translations seem possible, check whether the speaker wants to emphasise the totality or just list two facts. Once you feel that difference, you’ll instinctively choose the right pattern. ## Common mistakes with といわず～といわず
❌
寒い(さむい)といわず暑い(あつい)といわず
Attaching to adjectives.
✅
寒(さむ)さといわず暑(あつ)さといわず
Turn the adjective into a noun (寒(さむ)さ・暑(あつ)さ) and then use the pattern.
❌
手(て)といわず足(あし)
Omitting the second といわず breaks the pattern’s structure and its “everywhere” rhythm.
✅
手(て)といわず足(あし)といわず
Always repeat といわず after each noun.
❌
本(ほん)といわず雑誌(ざっし)といわず買っ(かっ)た。
This just says you bought a book and a magazine; there is no pervasive scope. Use も.
✅
本(ほん)も雑誌(ざっし)も買っ(かっ)た。
For simple listing, も〜も or と〜と are sufficient.
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **といわず～といわず**, then rewrite it with **も〜も**. If the image of “everywhere” disappears, you know といわず was the right choice. ## Is といわず～といわず on the JLPT?
N1

Yes. といわず～といわず is standard JLPT N1 grammar.

✔ recognise in reading ✔ understand nuance in context ✔ use in simple original sentences
At this level, the test expects you to catch the contrast between this pattern and simpler listing grammar (like も), and to pick out the pervasive meaning in long reading passages. Practice with full sentences where the context demands a “whole of” interpretation. ## Practice questions for といわず～といわず Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
1 Describe a messy room where something (dust, clothes, papers) is everywhere, using two representative areas.
2 Write a complaint about a sound that disturbs you regardless of the time of day.
3 Take a sentence using も〜も and rewrite it with といわず～といわず so that the focus shifts to the overall space or time.
4 Use といわず with two contrasting nouns to express that everyone in a group joined in (e.g., young and old, men and women).
5 Create a sentence about a daily habit that continues in all weather or conditions, using といわず.
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the pervasive nuance becomes unmistakable. ## Learning path for といわず～といわず
1
Memorise the fixed form: Noun A + といわず + Noun B + といわず. Say it aloud a few times to lock in the rhythm.
2
Write three pairs of nouns that represent a whole (e.g., 玄関(げんかん)といわず居間(いま)といわず, 表(ひょう)といわず裏(うら)といわず). This trains you to think in spectrums.
3
Take a simple も〜も sentence and upgrade it to a といわず sentence. Notice how the image changes from a list to a blanket.
4
Use the pattern in a real diary entry or message about your day. Authentic practice cements the emotional weight of the pattern.
5
Review together with other N1 patterns that start with と (like those below). Seeing them side by side helps you distinguish their functions.
## Related grammar to review next - [とあいまって](/blog/n1-to-aimatte/) — shares the と particle and describes a combined effect; a natural next step after learning といわず - [とあれば](/blog/n1-to-areba/) — explores a conditional with と, which contrasts with the sweeping scope of といわず - [とあって](/blog/n1-to-atte/) — uses と to indicate a reason, building on your ability to recognise と-based structures - [とばかりに](/blog/n1-to-bakari-ni/) — an emphatic “as if” pattern with と, rounding out your N1 toolkit for expressive statements ## Learn といわず～といわず with Hane If you want to review **といわず～といわず** 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/)