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JLPT N2Construction
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もかまわずWithout caring about

Describes someone acting without caring about a concern that would normally restrain the action. It often sounds critical, though it can also praise determination in the face of hardship.

The ignored concern

The phrase before もかまわず names something that would normally make a person stop, hesitate, or behave differently—such as other people's attention, another person's worries, bad weather, danger, cost, or the time. The following clause then gives the action performed in disregard of that concern.

Criticism and admiration

The speaker's judgment depends on what is being ignored and why.

ひともかまわず二人ふたりえきのホームでった。

Without caring who was watching, the two embraced on the station platform.

Analyze

Ignoring public attention can suggest a lack of restraint.

あめもかまわずきゅうじょたいけまでそうさくつづけた。

Undeterred by the rain, the rescue team continued searching until dawn.

Analyze

Here, continuing despite difficult weather presents the team as determined.

Ignoring another person's concern

ぞくしんぱいもかまわずかれれんらくもせずにたびつづけた。

Without caring that his family was worried, he continued traveling without contacting them.

Analyze

The criticism comes from his disregard for the family's feelings, not simply from the fact that he traveled.

Heedlessness versus an unaffected criterion

Use もかまわず when an actor ignores something that would normally restrain the action. Use にかかわらず when a criterion simply makes no difference, without suggesting careless behavior.

けいけんにかかわらずおうできます。

You may apply regardless of whether you have experience.

Analyze

Experience is an eligibility criterion here; nobody is being portrayed as heedless.

More examples

どろふくよごれるのもかまわずかのじょいぬげた。

Without caring that her clothes would get muddy, she picked up the puppy.

Analyze

ねむっているひともいるのに、かれらはかんもかまわずさわつづけた。

Even though some people were asleep, they kept making noise without regard for the hour.

Analyze

つよかぜもかまわずぎょういんたちはふっきゅうぎょうつづけた。

Undeterred by the strong wind, the workers continued the restoration work.

Analyze

はんたいこえもかまわずちょうけいかくすすめた。

The mayor pushed ahead with the plan without caring about the opposition.

Analyze

しゅうせんもかまわずかのじょみちばたつづけた。

Without caring about the people watching, she continued crying by the roadside.

Analyze

かれようもかまわずさいこうざいりょうあつめた。

He gathered the finest materials without regard for cost.

Analyze
もかまわず (mokamawazu) – Without caring about