を顧(かえり)みずWithout regard for, Ignoring, Without concern for

を顧(かえり)みず is a stiff phrase used to express that no heed is given to something. It is often translated as 'regardless of' or 'despite'. In terms of structure, it is a combination of the object-marking particle を, the irrealis form of the verb 顧(かえり)みる (meaning 'to look back', literally or metaphorically), and the classical negative auxiliary verb ず.

を顧(かえり)みず is used directly after any noun or noun phrase which is being ignored or considered irrelevant. It is very often used with the nouns 危険(きけん), 犠牲(ぎせい), 家庭(かてい), and other nouns which represent significant things.

Owing to the core meaning of 顧(かえり)みる, を顧(かえり)みず can be literally interpreted as 'without reflecting on (A)'. It is often used in regards to consequences, warnings and dangers, and sounds more elevated in tone than casual equivalents such as を気(き)にしないで.

Instead of the を particle, も may also be used. も will be used in more emphatic sentences, with the meaning of 'even'.

Fun Fact

The word 顧(かえり)みる comes from かえる, in the broad meaning of 'to return (to an original place or to an original state)', and みる, 'to look' or 'to see', thus giving the meaning 'to look back (upon)'. In terms of kanji, かえりみる is also written as 省(かえり)みる. This orthography is used to emphasize looking back in regret or upon one's own actions and mistakes.