JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
Without caring about; regardless of
Category: Emotional Expression
The grammar pattern "名詞 / [動詞普通形 + の] + もかまわず" is used to express that someone performs an action without worrying about something that would usually bother or stop them. This implies a surprising or bold lack of concern. For example, if someone cries loudly in public without caring about what others think, or if children play happily in the mud without worrying about getting dirty. This pattern is often used to express a sense of shock or criticism at someone's bold or reckless behavior.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb in plain form (動詞普通形) | [動詞普通形] + の | 走る + の = の |
| Noun | 名詞 / [動詞普通形 + の] | 人目 / 走る + の |
| Particle | もかまわず | もかまわず |
彼女は人目もかまわず、道端で大声で泣き出した。
Kanojo wa hitome mo kawamazu, michi no e de ōtai de nakidashita.
She cried loudly in public without caring about what others thought.
彼女は (She) 人目もかまわず (without caring about what others think) 道端で (on the side of the road) 大声で (loudly) 泣き出した (cried)
泥に汚れるもかまわず、子供たちは元気に遊び回っている。
Doro ni yogurenu mo kawamazu, kodomo-tachi wa genki ni asobikawatte iru.
The children are playing happily in the mud without worrying about getting dirty.
泥に汚れるもかまわず (without worrying about getting dirty) 子供たちは (the children) 元気に (happily) 遊び回っている (playing)
雨に濡れるもかまわず、彼は彼女の家へと走った。
Ame ni nureru mo kawamazu, kare wa kanojo no ie to ni hashitta.
He ran to her house without worrying about getting wet in the rain.
雨に濡れるもかまわず (without worrying about getting wet) 彼は (he) herの家 (her house) へと (to) 走った (ran)
This pattern is often used to express a sense of shock or criticism at someone's bold or reckless behavior. It is typically used in informal situations and can be considered impolite if used in formal situations. It is often confused with ～にもかかわらず (despite/although) or ～を問わず (regardless of category/grouping), but the nuance is different.
This pattern often implies a sense of shock or criticism, so using it to express the speaker's own polite actions can come across as insincere or sarcastic.
～にもかかわらず (despite/although) is used to express that something happens despite a obstacle or difficulty, whereas ～もかまわず (without caring about) is used to express that someone performs an action without worrying about something that would usually bother or stop them.
～を問わず (regardless of category/grouping) is used to express that something happens regardless of a particular category or group, whereas ～もかまわず (without caring about) is used to express that someone performs an action without worrying about something that would usually bother or stop them.
Pay attention to the nuance and context of the sentence. If the sentence implies a sense of shock or criticism, use ～もかまわず (without caring about). If the sentence expresses that something happens despite a obstacle or difficulty, use ～にもかかわらず (despite/although). If the sentence expresses that something happens regardless of a particular category or group, use ～を問わず (regardless of category/grouping).
彼女は人目______、道端で大声で泣き出した。
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