にも拘(かか)わらずDespite, In spite of, Regardless, Nevertheless

Do not confuse with にかかわらず

Structure

Verb + にもかかわらず
［い］Adjective + にもかかわらず
［な］Adjective + である + にもかかわらず
Noun + （である）+ にもかかわらず

Details

About にもかかわらず

にもかかわらず is a formal grammar structure in Japanese used to convey that something is 'in spite of (A)', or 'despite (A)'. This pattern is a combination of に, も, the う-Verb 拘(かか)わる 'to fixate on', or 'to stick to', and the literary auxiliary verb ず, which connects with verbs in the same way, and carries the same meaning as ない.

This structure is most frequently seen connected to verbs, い-Adjectives and nouns in their standard forms. In most cases, this pattern will appear without kanji.

Literally, this phrase can be thought of as expressing 'without being affected by (A), (B)', or 'without fixating on (A), (B)'. However, it is almost always used in exactly the same way as のに 'despite'.

Caution

It is important not to get にも拘(かか)わらず mixed up with に関(かか)わらず. The former expresses 'despite', while the latter tends to be used more often for 'no matter if'.

Examples

--:--

勘違(かんちが)いしたにもかかわらず、彼(かれ)は一切(いっさい)謝(あやま)らない。

Even though he made a mistake, he will never apologize.

あんなにかわいがったにもかかわらず、裏切(うらぎ)られるなんて…

Despite showing them that much adoration, (who would have thought) that they would betray us...

間隔(かんかく)があいたにもかかわらず、相変(あいか)わらずいいプレーをしますね。

Even though a space opened, they made a nice play, like usual.

乾燥(かんそう)しているにもかかわらず加湿(かしつ)しないから、喉(のど)をやられた。

Since I didn't run the humidifier regardless of it being dry, my voice got hoarse.

喉(のど)が渇(かわ)いているにもかかわらず、飲(の)み物(もの)を与(あた)えないのは虐待(ぎゃくたい)だ。

Despite me being thirsty, not giving me anything to drink is cruel.

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- A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
  Page 257
- A Handbook of Japanese Grammar Patterns
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- Quartet II
  Page 13
- Tobira (Gateway to Advanced Japanese)
  page 218-3
- 完全マスター N2
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にもかかわらず – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (3 in total)

Pushindawood
despite
in spite of
regardless
nevertheless
Structure
- Verb + にもかかわらず
- いAdj+ にもかかわらず
- なAdj + である + にもかかわらず
- Noun + (である) + にもかかわらず
Do not confuse with にかかわらず

[AにもかかわらずB, Despite A, B.・Used to express contrast・Formal language 「〜のに」硬い言い方]

[lit. “not being affected by”]

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Flavyouu
"全すべての物体ぶったいは、その大小だいしょう にもかかわらず 、真空しんくうにおいては同おなじ速度そくどで落下らっかする。

All objects, regardless of their size, fall at the same speed in a vacuum."

This is the only example that uses ‘regardless’;

Can I also use にかかわらず here?
speedaemon
It’s mentioned to be Formal in several different places, but the Register has it marked as Casual?
casual

間隔があいたにもかかわらず、相変わらずいいプレーをしますね。
Even though a space opened, they made a nice play, like usual.

Is this a sports reference? I’m curious what sort of open space and play could be related to each other.