をよそにIn disregard of
をよそに presents a concern, expectation, opposition, or surrounding reaction as a background that an action or development proceeds in disregard of. It usually creates a sharp contrast and often carries criticism or detached commentary.
How the contrast works
First name the reaction or situation that would normally affect what happens next. Then state an action or development that goes ahead anyway. With a human subject, the wording often suggests that the person pays little or no attention to others; with an impersonal subject, it simply highlights a striking mismatch between expectations and reality.
Human action and impersonal development
家族の反対をよそに、彼女は会社を辞めて海外へ渡った。
Disregarding her family's opposition, she left her company and moved abroad.
Analyze市場の期待をよそに、新製品の売り上げは伸び悩んだ。
Contrary to market expectations, sales of the new product struggled to grow.
AnalyzeNo person is consciously ignoring the expectations here. The expression emphasizes the mismatch between the surrounding expectations and the actual result.
What is usually disregarded
The background is commonly social: other people's worry, criticism, opposition, expectations, celebration, or public attention. The main clause should make the contrast immediately clear; this expression is not normally used merely to say that two unrelated things happened at the same time.
祝賀ムードをよそに、被災地では停電が続いていた。
Despite the celebratory mood, power outages continued in the disaster area.
AnalyzeA more conversational alternative
もかまわず broadly describes acting without caring about something and is easier to use in conversation. をよそに is more written and deliberately places the surrounding social reaction or situation in the background before presenting the contrasting action or result.
More examples
両親の心配をよそに、息子は危険な冬山へ向かった。
Disregarding his parents' concern, their son headed into the dangerous winter mountains.
Analyze世間の批判をよそに、その企業は計画を進めた。
Ignoring public criticism, the company proceeded with the plan.
Analyze住民の反対をよそに、工事は予定どおり始まった。
Despite opposition from residents, construction began as scheduled.
Analyze周囲の期待をよそに、チームは初戦で敗れた。
Contrary to the expectations around them, the team lost its opening match.
Analyze歓迎の声をよそに、本人は会見を欠席した。
Despite the voices welcoming the news, the person concerned did not attend the press conference.
Analyze報道陣の注目をよそに、交渉は非公開で進められた。
Despite intense media attention, the negotiations were conducted behind closed doors.
Analyze