もかまわずmo kamawazu“without caring; without worrying about”

もかまわず means without caring; without worrying about ~. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to express that someone acts completely disregarding normal concerns, obstacles, or social norms.

This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N2 reading passages. If you want to express that someone acts completely disregarding normal concerns, obstacles, or social norms, もかまわず is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese.

What does もかまわず mean?

Use もかまわず when you want to express that someone acts completely disregarding normal concerns, obstacles, or social norms.

Natural translations include:

• without caring; without worrying about ~

How to form もかまわず

Noun + もかまわず / Verb (plain form) + のもかまわず

Examples of the pattern:

• 人の目もかまわず
• 雨もかまわず

When is もかまわず used?

Use もかまわず in situations like:

• acting without regard for consequences, norms, or obstacles

Tone and register:

• neutral; implies recklessness, urgency, or shamelessness
• Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N2 reading

もかまわず example sentences

• 彼は人の目もかまわず、大声で叫んだ。 — He shouted loudly, without caring who was watching.
• 雨もかまわず、外に飛び出した。 — Heedless of the rain, I rushed outside.
• 周囲の反対もかまわず、彼は自分の道を進んだ。 — Ignoring the opposition around him, he went his own way.
• 彼女は服装もかまわずに飛び出していった。 — Without caring how she was dressed, she rushed out.
• 時間もかまわず電話してきた。 — He called me without any regard for the time.

After reading each sentence, ask what job もかまわず is doing: someone acts completely disregarding normal concerns, obstacles, or social norms.

Nuance of もかまわず

The key nuance is someone acts completely disregarding normal concerns, obstacles, or social norms.

For example:

• In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern would not convey.
• Compared with を気にせず, it carries a different weight and implication.

もかまわず vs を気にせず

もかまわず:

• someone acts completely disregarding normal concerns, obstacles, or social norms

を気にせず:

• without worrying about (softer)

Quick contrast examples:

• 雨もかまわず出かけた。
• 雨を気にせず出かけた。

Common mistakes with もかまわず

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally without understanding the nuance
• Using it in contexts where the situation doesn’t match the grammar’s core meaning
• Confusing it with similar-looking but different grammar patterns

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with もかまわず, then rewrite it with を気にせず. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words.

Is もかまわず on the JLPT?

Yes. もかまわず is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for もかまわず

• Use もかまわず in a sentence about a personal experience or observation.
• Write a sentence where the nuance of もかまわず is necessary.
• Compare もかまわず with を気にせず in your own example.

Learning path for もかまわず

To learn もかまわず efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

1. First, make sure you can form もかまわず without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with を気にせず.
3. Finally, write sentences where もかまわず is necessary; then check whether replacing it with one of the related patterns below changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• ままに — because it also involves acting without resistance or deviation
• ことなく — because it also involves doing something without hesitation
• どころではない — because it also involves acting despite circumstances

Learn もかまわず with Hane

If you want to review もかまわず together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

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