What does ～をよそに mean? Japanese grammar N1

Forming it

How to use it

Ignores the concern or objection of people around while still doing as one pleases. Carries a critical implication.

• 「Nをよそに」 = ignoring N. N is a feeling or attitude that OTHERS hold toward the subject: 心配 (worry), 反対 (opposition), 不安 (anxiety), 批判 (criticism), 期待 (expectation).
• The speaker sides with the party being ignored, so the sentence carries a reproachful tone: 「家族の反対をよそに、彼は旅立った」 (disregarding his family's opposition, he set off).
• Not used for ignoring an object or a rule oneself — that uses 「を無視して」.

Examples

• 周囲(しゅうい)の心配(しんぱい)をよそに、本人(ほんにん)は平気(へいき)な顔(かお)をしている。

  Ignoring everyone’s concern, he looks unconcerned.

• 家族(かぞく)の反対(はんたい)をよそに、彼(かれ)は旅立(たびだ)った。

  Disregarding his family’s opposition, he departed.

Keep in mind

• The particle is 「を」, not 「に」.
• N must be someone else's feeling or attitude.

Common mistakes

• Wrong周囲(しゅうい)の心配(しんぱい)によそに出(で)かけた。

  Correct周囲(しゅうい)の心配(しんぱい)をよそに出(で)かけた。

  The thing being ignored uses を, not に: をよそに.

Exam tips

• 「をよそに」 = ignoring others' worry/objection; carries a critical nuance.

Related patterns

• ～を無視して
• ～も構わず
• ～にもかかわらず