What does ～をとわず mean? Japanese grammar N2

Forming it

How to use it

States a criterion that does NOT affect the outcome; often with an opposing pair or 「有無」. Formal.

• 「～を問わず」 = "regardless of A, without distinguishing A": A doesn't matter, the outcome is the same. Formal, often used in announcements/recruitment.
• The noun is usually an opposing pair (男女・昼夜・国内外) or 「～の有無」.
• Close to 「にかかわらず」; 「を問わず」 suits listed/opposing categories, and is more literary.

Examples

• この仕事(しごと)は経験(けいけん)の有無(うむ)を問(と)わず、応募(おうぼ)できる。

  You can apply for this job regardless of experience.

• 年齢(ねんれい)や性別(せいべつ)を問(と)わず、誰(だれ)でも参加(さんか)できる。

  Anyone can join, regardless of age or gender.

Keep in mind

• Attaches to a noun; an adjective must be nominalized (暑さ).
• Not used for continuous degree (use 「にかかわらず」).

Common mistakes

• Wrong暑(あつ)いを問(と)わず、行(い)く。

  No matter how hot it is, I'll go.

  Correct暑(あつ)さを問(と)わず、行(い)く。

  「を問わず」 attaches to a NOUN; an adjective must be nominalized (暑い → 暑さ).

• Wrong参加(さんか)するを問(と)わず、全員(ぜんいん)に連絡(れんらく)します。

  Whether or not you participate, we will contact everyone.

  Correct参加(さんか)するかどうかを問(と)わず、全員(ぜんいん)に連絡(れんらく)します。

  「問わず」 connects directly after a NOUN; after a verb clause it must have 「かどうか」 (参加するかどうかを問わず).

Exam tips

• 「を問わず」 = regardless of (no distinction); attaches to a noun, often with opposing pairs/有無.

Related patterns

• ～にかかわらず
• ～に限らず
• ～いかんにかかわらず