Translation guide
A formal preposition, adverb, or conjunction meaning 'in spite of' or 'nevertheless'. In Japanese, the most natural equivalent depends on the grammatical role and register. Common patterns include 〜にもかかわらず, 〜にもかかわらず, and それでも.
Introduce a fact that does not prevent the main statement.
Attaches to a noun or a clause in plain form. Formal and common in written Japanese.
悪天候にもかかわらず、試合は行われた。
Notwithstanding the bad weather, the game was held.
Same as above, but can also follow a clause. Slightly more formal than 〜のに.
彼は忙しいにもかかわらず、手伝ってくれた。
Notwithstanding that he was busy, he helped me.
Literary/emphatic: 'without being daunted by'. Used with nouns.
彼は困難をものともせず、前進した。
Notwithstanding the difficulties, he pushed forward.
Connect two clauses where the second is surprising given the first.
Common in spoken and written Japanese. Means 'even so' or 'but still'.
雨が降っていた。それでも彼は出かけた。
It was raining. Notwithstanding, he went out.
Used at the beginning of a sentence to mean 'nevertheless'. Formal.
Introduce a subordinate clause of concession.
Follows a clause in plain form. Formal.
彼が警告したにもかかわらず、彼女はそれを無視した。
Notwithstanding that he warned her, she ignored it.
Casual and common in speech. Means 'even though'.
彼が警告したのに、彼女はそれを無視した。
Notwithstanding that he warned her, she ignored it.
English 'notwithstanding' is formal and often used in legal or academic contexts. In casual Japanese, using 〜にもかかわらず may sound overly stiff. Use 〜のに or それでも instead.
雨なのに出かけた。
He went out notwithstanding the rain. (casual)
Both mean 'although', but 〜にもかかわらず is more formal and emphatic. 〜のに is common in everyday conversation and can express regret or surprise.
経験不足にもかかわらず、彼はその仕事を得た。
Notwithstanding his lack of experience, he got the job.
強い反対にもかかわらず、計画は進められた。
The plan went ahead, notwithstanding strong opposition.
彼は十分な準備をした。にもかかわらず、失敗した。
He prepared thoroughly. Notwithstanding, he failed.
Slightly more emphatic than それでも. Formal.
証拠は不十分だった。それにもかかわらず、彼は有罪とされた。
The evidence was insufficient. Notwithstanding, he was found guilty.