N1 Comparison and Contrast

~をよそに: meaning, usage and examples

~をよそに means: ignoring... / paying no attention to...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 親おやの心配しんぱいをよそに、子供こどもは遊あそびまわっている。

   Paying no attention to their parents' worry, the children are playing around.

2. 住民じゅうみんの反対はんたいをよそに、ダムの建設けんせつは計画通けいかくどおり進すすめられた。

   Ignoring the residents' opposition, the dam construction proceeded as planned.

3. 周囲しゅういの心配しんぱいをよそに、田中たなかさんは一人ひとりで冬ふゆの山やまに登のぼった。

   Ignoring everyone's concern, Mr. Tanaka climbed the mountain alone in winter.

4. 景気けいきの低迷ていめいをよそに、高級こうきゅう時計とけいの売うれ行ゆきは好調こうちょうだ。

   Despite the sluggish economy, luxury watches are selling well.

When to use it

Says that someone acts, or something proceeds, without regard for the worry, expectations or opposition of others. Example: 親おやの心配しんぱいをよそに、子供こどもは遊あそび回まわっている (the children play on, ignoring their parents' worry). In news style it also means "unaffected by": 不況ふきょうをよそに売うり上あげが伸のびている.

Nuance

Written and formal, common in news and narration. The tone is often mildly critical or surprised. Typical nouns are 心配しんぱい, 期待きたい, 反対はんたい, 批判ひはん, 不安ふあん and economic conditions. It describes others or events; it is rarely used for the speaker's own deliberate actions.

Compare

にもかかわらず is a neutral "despite": 雨あめにもかかわらず試合しあいは行おこなわれた. をよそに adds that someone ignores or is untouched by the concern. を無視むしして is direct and blunt: 規則きそくを無視むしして駐車ちゅうしゃする. をものともせず praises courage against hardship: 嵐あらしをものともせず進すすんだ.

Tip: Picture someone walking past a worried crowd without looking back. The noun before をよそに is usually people's feelings or opinions.