といわず～といわずThroughout both A and B
The pattern noun A + といわず + noun B + といわず names two representative places, times, body parts, or categories and says that the same state extends throughout the broader area they represent. The meaning is not limited to those two items.
The pair represents a wider whole
The two nouns are examples of affected parts, not a complete two-item list. By removing the distinction between A and B, the construction suggests “A, B, and everywhere or every time of that kind.” It is especially common when something spreads, continues, fills an area, or affects many parts indiscriminately.
Pervasive coverage
Notice that each final statement applies beyond the two named examples.
子どもたちは顔といわず腕といわず、泥だらけになって帰ってきた。
The children came home covered in mud, on their faces, arms, and everywhere else.
Analyze顔 and 腕 represent the children's exposed body generally.
昼といわず夜といわず、工事の音が近所中に響いていた。
The sound of construction echoed throughout the neighborhood day and night.
Analyze式場は入口といわず客席といわず、色とりどりの花で飾られていた。
The ceremony venue was decorated with colorful flowers throughout, from the entrance to the seating area and beyond.
AnalyzeThe construction often describes undesirable conditions, but this positive description shows that a negative meaning is not built into it.
Coverage versus evaluation
といわず～といわず stresses that something extends throughout the areas represented by two nouns. By contrast, といい～といい selects two notable features as evidence for an overall judgment. Ask whether you mean “throughout all these parts” or “judging from these two features.”
この店は料理といい接客といい、申し分がない。
This restaurant is impeccable in both its food and its service.
AnalyzeHere food and service are two grounds for evaluating the restaurant; nothing is spreading throughout them.
More examples
雨の中を走ったので、髪といわず服といわず、全身びしょぬれだった。
After running through the rain, I was soaked all over—hair, clothes, everything.
Analyze祭りの日は、駅前といわず裏通りといわず、人であふれていた。
On the day of the festival, people packed the whole area, from the front of the station to the backstreets.
Analyze平日といわず週末といわず、相談窓口には問い合わせが相次いだ。
Inquiries poured into the consultation desk on weekdays and weekends alike.
Analyze倉庫の中は棚といわず床といわず、細かなほこりに覆われていた。
Inside the warehouse, everything from the shelves to the floor was covered in fine dust.
Analyze朝といわず夕方といわず、海辺には散歩を楽しむ人の姿があった。
Morning and evening alike, people could be seen enjoying walks by the sea.
Analyze会場は通路といわず階段といわず、応援する人々で埋め尽くされていた。
The venue was packed throughout—even the aisles and stairways—with cheering supporters.
Analyze