JLPT N2 grammar
〜にもかかわらず — Meaning & Examples
"Despite / in spite of." Strong, formal contrast where the result defies expectation. 大雨にもかかわらず試合は行われた. More formal than のに; can also begin a sentence ("nevertheless").
〜にもかかわらず — "Despite / In Spite Of"
にもかかわらず expresses a strong "despite" — the result is surprising or goes against expectation. It's formal and frequent in news and writing.
Pattern: [noun] + にもかかわらず ／ [plain form] + にもかかわらず
大雨にもかかわらず、試合は予定通り行われた。
= Despite the heavy rain, the match was held as scheduled.
一生懸命努力したにもかかわらず、結果は出なかった。
= In spite of trying my hardest, the results didn't come.
彼は忙しいにもかかわらず、手伝ってくれた。
= Even though he was busy, he helped me.
Note the formality: にもかかわらず is noticeably more formal than のに.
・雨なのに出かけた（conversational）
・雨にもかかわらず出かけた（formal/written）
As a connector "nevertheless":
彼は何度も注意された。にもかかわらず、態度を変えなかった。
= He was warned many times. Nevertheless, he didn't change his attitude.
Key feeling: A strong, formal "despite" — the outcome defies what the first clause would lead you to expect.
Practice questions
Try these 3 questions on 〜にもかかわらず. Pick an answer in your head, then open “Show answer”.
1. Which concession word is the MOST formal, common in news and writing?
- ものの (mono no)
- くせに (kuse ni)
- にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
- つつ (tsutsu)
Show answer
Answer: にもかかわらず (ni mo kakawarazu)
にもかかわらず = a strong, formal "despite," frequent in news and written Japanese. More formal than のに.
2. "Although I got my licence, I can't drive (no car)" is best expressed with?
- 免許は取ったものの (menkyo wa totta mono no)
- 免許は取ったくせに (menkyo wa totta kuse ni)
- 免許を取りつつ (menkyo o toritsutsu)
- 免許を取るにもかかわらず (menkyo o toru ni mo kakawarazu)
Show answer
Answer: 免許は取ったものの (menkyo wa totta mono no)
ものの concedes a fact then notes a clash: 免許は取ったものの、車がないので運転できない.
3. Which sentence sounds critical / blaming?
- 知っているものの教えない (shitte iru mono no oshienai)
- 知っているくせに教えない (shitte iru kuse ni oshienai)
- 知っているにもかかわらず教えない (shitte iru ni mo kakawarazu oshienai)
- 知りつつ教えない (shiritsutsu oshienai)
Show answer
Answer: 知っているくせに教えない (shitte iru kuse ni oshienai)
くせに adds blame — 知っているくせに教えない = he knows but (annoyingly) won't tell. The others are neutral or formal.
Practise 〜にもかかわらず in the free app
This point is part of the “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに” lesson in A Star Japanese. Study it with examples, a quiz, flashcards and timed JLPT N2 mock exams. Free on iPhone and Android.
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Related N2 grammar points
From the same lesson: Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜にもかかわらず mean?
"Despite / in spite of." Strong, formal contrast where the result defies expectation. 大雨にもかかわらず試合は行われた. More formal than のに; can also begin a sentence ("nevertheless").
Is 〜にもかかわらず on the JLPT N2 test?
〜にもかかわらず is taught in the JLPT N2 grammar course in A Star Japanese (lesson “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに”), so it is a pattern learners at this level are expected to recognise. The JLPT does not publish an official grammar list, so treat this as a study guide rather than an official requirement.
How can I practise 〜にもかかわらず?
Open the “Concession and Contrast — ものの・にもかかわらず・つつも・くせに” lesson in the free A Star Japanese app for iPhone and Android. It has examples, a quiz after every lesson, flashcards with spaced repetition and timed JLPT N2 mock exams, with no ads.