The core meaning
雨にもかかわらず試合は行われた means the match took place despite the rain. The rain is relevant because it could reasonably have stopped the match. The phrase marks that tension between expectation and actual result. It is common in formal explanation and reporting, where the writer wants to name the obstacle or contrary evidence explicitly.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 雨にもかかわらず、試合は行われました。 | Ame ni mo kakawarazu, shiai wa okonawaremashita. | The match took place despite the rain. |
| 忙しいにもかかわらず、手伝ってくれました。 | Isogashii ni mo kakawarazu, tetsudatte kuremashita. | They helped despite being busy. |
How to form it
With a noun, use noun + にもかかわらず: 雨にもかかわらず, 反対にもかかわらず. With a verb or adjective, use the plain form: 雨が降っているにもかかわらず, 忙しいにもかかわらず. Nouns and な adjectives may take である before it in formal writing: 休日であるにもかかわらず. The written noun-modifying form is にもかかわらず; keep the whole phrase together.
| Use | Japanese form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | 雨にもかかわらず | Despite the rain |
| Verb clause | 降っているにもかかわらず | Although it is raining |
| Formal noun | 休日であるにもかかわらず | Despite it being a holiday |
Natural examples
Read each sentence for the relationship between the first idea and the second. The English translation gives a natural meaning, while the Japanese wording shows exactly where the pattern attaches.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 何度も説明したにもかかわらず、同じ質問が出た。 | Nando mo setsumei shita ni mo kakawarazu, onaji shitsumon ga deta. | The same question came up despite repeated explanations. |
| 準備が足りないにもかかわらず、いい結果が出ました。 | Junbi ga tarinai ni mo kakawarazu, ii kekka ga demashita. | We got a good result despite inadequate preparation. |
Compare the nearby pattern
雨にもかかわらず試合をした means the game went ahead despite rain. 雨にかかわらず試合をする means the game is held regardless of whether it rains; the weather is not a deciding condition. The single も changes the logic from 'despite this actual obstacle' to 'irrespective of the category or condition'.
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 雨にもかかわらず、試合を行います。 | Ame ni mo kakawarazu, shiai o okonaimasu. | We will hold the match despite the rain. |
| 雨にかかわらず、試合を行います。 | Ame ni kakawarazu, shiai o okonaimasu. | We will hold the match regardless of the weather. |
The two examples may describe similar situations, but they lead the listener to different conclusions. Choose the form that matches the claim you really intend to make.
Common mistake to avoid
Do not drop も when you mean 'despite'. 雨にかかわらず is not the same claim as 雨にもかかわらず. Also avoid もかかわらず after a noun without に; the noun form is 雨にもかかわらず.
- A relevant obstacle did not prevent the outcome
- Noun + にもかかわらず
- Plain clause + にもかかわらず
- にかかわらず means regardless of
Try it yourself
Write one event that happened despite a genuine obstacle using にもかかわらず. Then write a general policy that does not depend on a condition using にかかわらず. Keep the two meanings separate.
Say your sentence once slowly while looking at the Japanese pattern. Then say it again without reading. If your second clause changes from a possibility to a fact, or from advice to a requirement, revise it so the grammar still matches your meaning.