〜によらず: 'Regardless Of' (Meaning + Examples)
"No matter what the factor is"
によらず attaches to a noun naming some factor — age, experience, reason — and asserts that the factor makes no difference to the outcome. It's formal and common in official rules, eligibility notices, and written announcements.
このイベントは年齢によらず参加できます。
この イベントは ねんれいによらず さんかできます。
Anyone can join this event, regardless of age.
によらず = the factor named doesn't matter.
経験の有無によらず、応募を受け付けます。
けいけんの うむによらず、おうぼを うけつけます。
We accept applications regardless of whether you have experience or not.
やったんのお店は、天気によらず毎日開いている。
やったんの おみせは、てんきによらず まいにち あいている。
Yattan's shop is open every day, regardless of the weather.
Original example with the mascot.
Attaching によらず
| Attaches to | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | Noun + によらず | 年齢によらず (regardless of age) |
| Noun of existence | 有無 + によらず | 経験の有無によらず (regardless of experience or not) |
| Fixed collocation | 理由のいかん + によらず | 理由のいかんによらず (regardless of the reason) |
理由のいかんによらず、規則は守るべきだ。
りゆうの いかんによらず、きそくは まもるべきだ。
Regardless of the reason, the rules should be followed.
いかんによらず is a common fixed pairing.
によらず vs にかかわらず
Both mean "regardless of," and in many sentences they're interchangeable, but によらず leans on the idea of "not depending on," so it fits best with factors that could plausibly cause a difference (age, experience, weather). にもかかわらず (a related but distinct pattern) instead marks contrast with an expected outcome — "despite X, Y happened anyway" — and cannot simply swap in for a neutral "no matter what" statement.
The short version
- 〜によらず = "regardless of / irrespective of" — a stated factor makes no difference.
- Attaches to: a noun (often 有無 or いかん) + によらず.
- Nuance/register: formal, written; common in official rules and eligibility notices.
- Don't confuse with: にもかかわらず (contrast with expectation, not a neutral "no matter what").
Practice it
Pick によらず to state that a named factor makes no difference to the outcome.
＿＿＿に入れるのに最もよいものを選びなさい。
このイベントは年齢＿＿＿参加できます。
More N1 grammar to explore
Keep going with related patterns at the same level:
- 〜の至り — 〜の至り attaches to an emotion noun to mean 'the utmost' or 'the height of' — 光栄の至り (the height of honor). It's a formal, often humble expression for feeling something at its most extreme, typically joy, honor, or shame.
- 〜の極み — 〜の極み attaches to a noun to mean 'the height of' or 'the extreme of' — 贅沢の極み (the height of luxury). Like 〜の至り, it marks a state at its absolute peak, but it leans toward describing situations and conditions, often negative ones.
- 〜のみか — 〜のみか means 'not only... but even/also,' formally introducing a second fact that goes further than expected — 英語のみか、フランス語も (not only English, but even French). It's close to 〜のみならず but often stresses surprise at the added extreme.
- 〜思いをする — 〜思いをする attaches after an adjective (often た-form or stem) to mean 'to go through/experience [that feeling]' — 悔しい思いをする ('to feel bitter regret'). It almost always describes an unpleasant or difficult emotional experience.
- 〜折に — 〜折に is a formal expression meaning 'on the occasion of' or 'at the time when' — 東京にお越しの折に ('when you happen to visit Tokyo'). It politely marks a fitting opportunity, common in letters and formal speech.
- およそ — およそ is an adverb meaning 'approximately,' 'roughly,' or 'generally' — およそ170フィート ('about 170 feet'). Before a number it rounds a figure; before a noun or in a negative sentence it can mean 'the general gist' or 'not remotely.'