N2 Contrast and Concession

~にもかかわらず: meaning, usage and examples

~にもかかわらず means: despite... / in spite of...

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

Examples

1. 台風たいふうにもかかわらず、イベントは開催かいさいされた。

   Despite the typhoon, the event was held.

2. 努力どりょくしたにもかかわらず、試験しけんに落おちた。

   Despite my efforts, I failed the exam.

3. 平日へいじつにもかかわらず、美術館びじゅつかんは大勢おおぜいの客きゃくでにぎわっていた。

   Despite it being a weekday, the art museum was crowded with visitors.

4. 何なん度ども注意ちゅういされたにもかかわらず、彼かれは同おなじミスを繰くり返かえした。

   Despite being warned many times, he repeated the same mistake.

When to use it

Use にもかかわらず for "despite" or "in spite of": something happened even though the situation should have prevented it. It fits news, reports and formal explanations, as in 平日へいじつにもかかわらず、会場かいじょうは満員まんいんだった. It can also open a sentence as a conjunction meaning "nevertheless": にもかかわらず、彼かれは来こなかった. It attaches to nouns and plain clauses alike.

Nuance

Formal and mostly written, or used in speeches and announcements. It often shows surprise, criticism or admiration toward the result. The second clause is a fact; it is not normally followed by a request or the speaker's own plan.

Compare

のに is the spoken version and carries more personal frustration (約束やくそくしたのに来こなかった). ものの admits a fact before a limiting result (買かったものの、使つかっていない). にかかわらず (without も) means "regardless of" and has a completely different meaning: 年齢ねんれいにかかわらず参加さんかできる.

Tip: Do not drop the も: にかかわらず means "regardless of," while にもかかわらず means "despite." One small kana changes the meaning.