Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 3: 14/23

を問(と)わずRegardless of, Whether or not, No matter, With or without

Structure

Noun + を問(と)わず(5)
Noun (A) + 、(1) + Noun (B) + を問(と)わず(5)
A(2) + か + B(2) + か + を問(と)わず(5)
A(3) + (Antonym) A(3) + を問(と)わず(5)
A(2) + かどうか(4) + を問(と)わず(5)
A(2) + A［ない］(2) + を問(と)わず(5)

(1) ・、と、や
(2) Noun、 ［な］Adjective、 ［い］Adjective、 Verb
(3) ［い］Adjective、［な］Adjective
(4) か否(いな)か
(5) を問(と)わない。

Details

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    Formal

About を問わず

を問(と)わず is a pattern which makes use of the special-class う-Verb 問(と)う 'to inquire' and the literary auxiliary verb ず, which connects with verbs in the same way, and carries the same meaning as ない. While the literal meaning of this grammar structure is 'without questioning (A), (B)', it is used more as a formal way to express 'regardless of (A), (B)', 'whether (A) or not, (B)', or 'with or without (A)', (B)'.

This structure is seen almost exclusively after nouns, but can also follow structures like か, or かどうか that are modifying adjectives. を will mark the 'question' which is 'not being asked'.

Occasionally, は will replace を at the beginning of 問わず. This puts further emphasis on contrast, and slightly strengthens the phrase overall.

Caution

Although を問(と)わず may be thought of as similar to 'regardless', there are actually situations where the nuance is closer to 'in any case for (A), (B)'. This is particularly true when (A) is being expressed as a scope. Let's compare を問(と)わず to に関(かか)わらず to see the difference.

Related

Examples

--:--

    どんな役(やく)かは問(と)わず、主役(しゅやく)であればね。

    Regardless of the role, if it is a leading role (it doesn't matter). (no matter)

    私(わたし)は彼女(かのじょ)と結婚(けっこん)したい。手段(しゅだん)を問(と)わない。

    I want to marry her! No matter what. (regardless・whether or not)

    買(か)う買(か)わないを問(と)わず、商品(しょうひん)を試(ため)しに来(き)てください。

    (Regardless of) whether you will buy it or not, please come and try the product.

    好(す)き嫌(きら)いを問(と)わず探(さが)せば、仕事(しごと)は見(み)つかります。

    Regardless of your likes and dislikes, if you look, you will find a job.

    上手(うま)い下手(へた)を問(と)わず、習字(しゅうじ)の練習(れんしゅう)は続(つづ)けてください。

    Whether you are good at it or bad at it, please continue to practice your penmanship (calligraphy). (regardless of)

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