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Disregarding; ignoring the opinions/surroundings
Definition
The grammar pattern "名詞 + をよそに" is used to express that someone continues an action while completely ignoring other people's worries, expectations, or the surrounding atmosphere. It often implies a negative surprise or criticism by the speaker. This pattern is often used in situations where someone's actions are seen as reckless or irresponsible, and the speaker is expressing their disapproval or disappointment. For example, if someone ignores the warnings of their parents and skips school again, the speaker might say "親の心配をよそに、再び無断で学校を休んだ". This pattern can also be used to describe situations where someone ignores the opinions or concerns of others, such as a politician ignoring the protests of the local community.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 動詞の基本形 | 名詞 + をよそに | 親の心配をよそに |
| 動詞の基本形 + た形 | 名詞 + をよそに | 住民の反対運動をよそに |
| 動詞の基本形 + た形 + た形 | 名詞 + をよそに | 景気後退のニュースをよそに |
Examples
親の心配をよそに、再び無断で学校を休んだ。
Oya no shinpai o yosoni, arata ni muda de gakkō o yasunda.
Ignoring his parents' worries, he skipped school again without permission.
親の心配 (parents' worries) + をよそに (ignoring) + 再び (again) + 無断 (without permission) + で (because) + 学校を休んだ (skipped school)
住民の反対運動をよそに、ダムの建設工事が始まった。
Jūmin no han'yaku undō o yosoni, damu no kensetsu kōji ga hajimatta.
Ignoring the protests of the local community, the construction of the dam began.
住民の反対運動 (protests of the local community) + をよそに (ignoring) + ダムの建設工事 (construction of the dam) + が始まった (began)
景気後退のニュースをよそに、其の高級ブランド店には長い列ができていた。
Keiki kōtai no nyūsu o yosoni, sono takkyū burando ten ni nagai reki ga dekiteita.
Ignoring the news of the economic downturn, there was a long line at the high-end brand store.
景気後退のニュース (news of the economic downturn) + をよそに (ignoring) + 其の (its) + 高級ブランド店 (high-end brand store) + には (at) + 長い列 (long line) + ができていた (had formed)
Context
This pattern is used to express a negative surprise or criticism. It is often used in situations where someone's actions are seen as reckless or irresponsible. The speaker is expressing their disapproval or disappointment. This pattern can be used in formal or informal situations, but it is more commonly used in formal situations.
Watch out
~をものともせずには、状況や他人の意見を無視するのではなく、状況や他人の意見を無視しながらも、自分の意見や行動を貫くことを表す.
その場合は、状況や他人の意見を無視しながらも、自分の意見や行動を貫くことを表す.
その場合は、状況や他人の意見を無視しながらも、自分の意見や行動を貫くことを表す。
Strategy
This pattern is often used in JLPT N1 questions to test the candidate's ability to understand the nuances of Japanese grammar. Candidates should be able to recognize the pattern and understand the context in which it is used.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N1 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 名詞 + をよそに used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
親の心配をよそに、彼は再び無断で学校を休んだ。
Pattern used: をよそに
Ignoring someone's 'worry' or 'feelings' is expressed using 'o yoso ni'.
住民の反対運動をよそに、ダムの建設工事が始まった。
Pattern used: をよそに
'o yoso ni' conveys the nuance of disregarding external opposition or social atmosphere.
景気後退のニュースをよそに、その高級ブランド店には長い列ができていた。
Pattern used: をよそに
The situation inside is 'indifferent to' the negative news outside, fitting 'o yoso ni'.
Interactive
親の心配______、彼は再び無断で学校を休んだ。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.