Kotomora
JLPT N1ConstructionWritten
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かえりみずWithout regard for

かえりみず formally describes someone deliberately acting without taking a risk, personal interest, safety issue, or consequence into account.

What the expression highlights

The focus is not simply that a danger existed. The subject knowingly proceeds with an action while leaving that danger or personal interest out of consideration. The main clause therefore normally describes an intentional act.

Admirable self-sacrifice

きゅうじょたいいんみずからのあんぜんかえりみずだくりゅうなかはいっていった。

The rescue worker entered the raging flood without regard for their own safety.

Analyze

Here the disregard for personal safety is presented as courageous.

Critical judgment

ぎょうようしゃへのえいきょうかえりみず、サービスをとつぜんしゅうりょうした。

The company abruptly ended the service without considering the impact on users.

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In this context, the same construction criticizes an irresponsible decision.

Ignoring a risk versus overcoming an obstacle

かえりみず centers the safety, interest, or consequence that the subject does not consider, and it can be either admiring or critical. By contrast, をものともせず presents adversity as an obstacle that fails to deter the subject and usually carries an admiring tone.

More examples

しんけんこうかえりみずさいしんりょうつづけた。

The doctor continued treating patients in the disaster area without regard for their own health.

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こうしゃひょうばんかえりみずこんきょのないはつげんかえした。

The candidate repeatedly made baseless statements without regard for their reputation.

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けいえいじんちょうてきえいきょうかえりみずさきえきゆうせんした。

Management prioritized short-term profit without considering the long-term impact.

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しゃけんかえりみずげんにとどまってしゅざいつづけた。

The reporter remained at the scene and continued reporting without regard for the danger.

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かれあとさきかえりみずぜんざいさんとうにつぎんだ。

Without considering the consequences, he put his entire fortune into investments.

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けんきゅうチームはしっぱいけんかえりみずあたらしいりょうほうかいはついどんだ。

The research team took on the development of a new treatment without regard for the risk of failure.

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を顧みず (okaerimizu) – Without regard for