“〜wo yoso ni”: Ignoring 〜, Heedless of 〜 [JLPT N1]
By Nihongo to Japan · Updated July 3, 2026
「周囲の反対をよそに、計画を進めた」 — ignoring or disregarding something to do one's own thing.
“〜wo yoso ni”: Ignoring 〜, Heedless of 〜
「(noun) ＋ をよそに」 means “ignoring 〜, heedless of 〜, disregarding 〜” — paying no attention to something (others' feelings, expectations, opposition, etc.) and doing one's own thing. E.g. 「周囲の反対をよそに、計画を進めた」 (heedless of the opposition around him, he pushed the plan forward), 「親の心配をよそに、彼は一人で出発した」 (heedless of his parents' worry, he set off alone). It carries a ‘setting others' … aside, going one's own way' nuance, often with criticism or exasperation. ⚠️ What precedes is usually ‘others' feelings/reactions' (worry, opposition, expectation, criticism); the latter is the act of ignoring these. A written expression.
🧠 Core nuance: set others' (feelings, opposition) aside, do your own thing
The core is ignoring something (especially others' feelings, reactions) and going one's own way: the first clause is usually ‘others' reaction/feeling about something' (worry, opposition, expectation, criticism), and the speaker uses をよそに to show that the person pays no attention to these and does what they want (push forward heedless of opposition, set off heedless of worry, do it heedless of criticism). It carries a ‘leaving it unheeded, going one's own way' nuance, often with criticism, exasperation, or coldness. ⚠️ The preceding noun is usually others' feeling/reaction (心配, 反対, 期待, 批判, 不安); the latter is the act of ignoring these. ⚠️ Contrast with 「を踏まえて (taking … into account)」: をよそに is the opposite — をよそに is ‘disregarding, ignoring,' を踏まえて is ‘considering, building on.' Connection: noun ＋ をよそに. Written language.
📌 How to Connect
| Form | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| noun ＋ をよそに | ignoring 〜, heedless of 〜 | 反対をよそに |
| (preceded by) others' feeling/reaction | 心配/反対/期待 | 心配をよそに |
| (followed by) the act of ignoring | going one's own way | 〜をよそに、〜した |
💬 Example Sentences
- 周囲の反対をよそに、彼は計画を強行した。(Heedless of the opposition around him, he forced the plan through.) — ignoring opposition
- 親の心配をよそに、息子は一人で海外へ旅立った。(Heedless of his parents' worry, the son set off abroad alone.) — heedless of worry
- 親の期待をよそに、彼は進学せず、別の道を選んだ。(Heedless of his parents' expectations, he didn't go on to college and chose another path.) — heedless of expectation
- 世間の批判をよそに、彼は自分の信念を貫いた。(Heedless of public criticism, he stuck to his convictions.) — ignoring criticism
- 高まる不安をよそに、市場は値上がりを続けた。(Heedless of rising anxiety, the market kept climbing.) — ignoring anxiety
🔄 Compare: をよそに vs を踏まえて vs にもかかわらず vs を顧みず
| Expression | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 〜をよそに | “ignoring 〜, heedless of 〜” (leaving unheeded, going one's own way) | 反対をよそに進めた |
| 〜を踏まえて | “taking 〜 into account” (building on, opposite!) | 反省を踏まえて |
| 〜にもかかわらず | “even though 〜 yet” (adversative) | 反対にもかかわらず |
| 〜を顧(かえり)みず | “without regard for 〜” (near をよそに) | 危険を顧みず |
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Confusing with を踏まえて: をよそに = ignoring, heedless (going one's own way); を踏まえて = taking … into account (building on) — opposite meanings!
- Preceded by others' feeling/reaction: をよそに precedes others' feelings/reactions like 心配, 反対, 期待, 批判.
- Carries criticism/coldness: をよそに often carries criticism or exasperation at the person ‘ignoring others.'
- Connection: noun ＋ をよそに (✗ を/が).
💡 Nuance & When to Use
をよそに means “ignoring 〜, heedless of 〜, disregarding 〜,” paying no attention to something (especially others' feelings, expectations, opposition) and doing one's own thing (push forward heedless of opposition, set off heedless of worry). What precedes is usually others' feelings/reactions (心配, 反対, 期待, 批判), with a critical, cold, or exasperated nuance. ⚠️ The opposite of the ‘taking … into account' を踏まえて. Near the ‘without regard for' を顧みず. A written expression. A must at N1.
🎯 JLPT Exam Tips
- High-frequency N1: noun ＋ をよそに = ignoring 〜, heedless of 〜 (going one's own way); preceded by others' feelings/reactions (心配, 反対).
- Core distinction: をよそに (disregarding, ignoring) vs を踏まえて (taking into account, opposite!); near を顧みず.
- Nuance: often with criticism, coldness, exasperation; a written expression.
🖊️ 練習題（5題）
Q1. 「周りの心配___、彼は一人で出発した。」（不顧周圍的擔心，他獨自出發）
(A) をよそに (B) を踏まえて (C) をもって (D) について
Q2. 「親の期待___、息子は進学しなかった。」（不顧父母的期待，兒子沒有升學）
(A) をよそに (B) のおかげで (C) によって (D) に応じて
Q3. 「反対をよそに計画を進めた」の意味は?
(A) 無視反對，自顧自地推進計畫
(B) 因為反對而停止計畫
(C) 接受反對意見
(D) 和反對無關
Q4. 「をよそに」の語感として正しいのは?
(A) 不顧・無視他人（心配・反對等），我行我素
(B) 重視他人意見
(C) 表示原因
(D) 表示感謝
Q5. 「をよそに」の前に来やすい名詞は?
(A) 心配・反対・期待・批判 (B) 時間・場所 (C) 道具・手段 (D) 食べ物
答案解析
1. (A) をよそに ── 不顧周圍擔心，獨自出發。
2. (A) をよそに ── 不顧父母期待。
3. (A) ── 無視反對，自顧自推進。
4. (A) ── 不顧・無視他人，我行我素。
5. (A) ── 常接心配・反対・期待・批判。