connective N1 uncommon writtenliterary
によらず — regardless of
によらず
Builds on によって
Meaning
- regardless of / irrespective of ~ — the result holds no matter the value of the factor; literary
Key sentence
年齢や性別によらず、誰でも応募できる。
Anyone can apply, regardless of age or gender.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (often a question word + によらず) | N + によらず |
Examples
天候によらず、試合は予定通り行われる。
Regardless of the weather, the match will be held as scheduled.
見かけによらず、彼はとても力持ちだ。
Contrary to appearances, he is very strong.
Easily confused with
にかかわらず にかかわらず ('regardless of a variable') is the everyday near-synonym. によらず is more formal/written and stresses 'not determined by ~'. を問わず を問わず opens a category to all members ('any ~ is fine'). によらず says the outcome is unaffected by the factor. にもかかわらず にもかかわらず is 'in spite of (a fact)' — concessive surprise. によらず is 'regardless of (a variable)' — no surprise implied.
Notes
- 見かけによらず ('contrary to appearances') is a set phrase. The 'not relying on' sense (力によらず) is literary.
See によらず in real sentences
Jengo shows によらず the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled with reference to A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar.