Dependence, Correspondence & Disregard — いかんで/いかんにかかわらず/をよそに/によらず/に即して/にかかわる
This lesson covers what something depends on, what it follows, and what it ignores. 「いかん」 is the kanji 「如何」, "how (something) turns out": 「いかんで」 and 「いかんによっては」 mean "depending on…", while 「いかんにかかわらず」, 「いかんによらず」 and 「いかんを問わず」 mean the opposite, "whatever… may be". The two sets look alike and mean opposite things, which makes them a standard N1 item. 「をよそに」 means paying no attention to other people's worry or opposition, or carrying on untouched by what is going on around; 「によらず」 means "regardless of…" or "not by means of…"; 「に即して」 means in line with the facts, the actual situation or the rules; and 「にかかわる」 means something bears on a matter as serious as life, honour or survival. These patterns are typical of notices, regulations, news and commentary.
Vocabulary
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 成否 | せいひ | n success or failure; the outcomewritten style, of plans and undertakings計画の成否 whether a plan succeeds成否を左右する to decide success or failure |
| 出方 | でかた | n how the other side acts; their next movein negotiations or confrontations相手の出方を見る to wait and see what the other side does出方次第 depending on how they respond |
| 辞さない | じさない | expression to be prepared to (go as far as); not shrink fromnegative of 辞する, used for being ready to take tough steps if needed法的措置も辞さない prepared to take legal action辞職も辞さない覚悟 ready even to resign |
| 打ち切る | うちきる | v, trans. to cut off; to discontinuestopping something that would otherwise have continued支給を打ち切る to stop payments交渉を打ち切る to break off negotiations |
| 無断 | むだん | n without permission; without noticenot asking or telling anyone first無断欠勤 being absent from work without notice無断で使用する to use without permission |
| 処分 | しょぶん | n, suru-verb disciplinary action; disposal; 「処分を受ける」 to be disciplined |
| 推し進める | おしすすめる | v, trans. to push ahead with; to press forwardmoving a plan or policy forward, often despite resistance改革を推し進める to push through reforms計画を推し進める to press ahead with a plan |
| 喧騒 | けんそう | n noise and bustlewritten style, usually of city life都会の喧騒 the bustle of the city喧騒を離れる to get away from the noise |
| 家業 | かぎょう | n the family businessa shop or trade run by a family over generations家業を継ぐ to take over the family business家業を手伝う to help out in the family business |
| 登用 | とうよう | n, suru-verb appointment; promotion (to a responsible post)人材を登用する to promote capable people女性の登用 appointing women to senior posts |
| 涙もろい | なみだもろい | adj easily moved to tears; soft-hearted年を取って涙もろくなる to get more easily moved to tears with age |
| 実情 | じつじょう | n the actual situation; the real state of affairsoften what outsiders don't see現場の実情 the situation on the ground実情に合わない out of touch with reality |
| 厳正 | げんせい | na-adj strict and impartialof penalties and reviews厳正に対処する to deal with something strictly厳正な審査 a rigorous, fair review |
| 不祥事 | ふしょうじ | n scandal; misconduct; 「相次ぐ不祥事」 a string of scandals |
| 存続 | そんぞく | n, suru-verb survival; continued existenceof an organisation or system会社の存続 the survival of the company存続が危ぶまれる its future is in doubt |
| 沽券 | こけん | n dignity; standingused almost only in 沽券にかかわる, beneath one's dignity |
| 合否 | ごうひ | n pass or fail; the result of an exam or screening合否を判定する to decide who passes合否の通知 notice of the results |
1. 〜いかんで/いかんによっては ~ikan de / ikan niyotte wa (Depending on…)
Conjugation
- Noun (の) + いかんで / いかんによって
- Noun (の) + いかんによっては
- Noun (の) + いかんだ / いかんにかかっている
※ 「いかん」 is the kanji 「如何」, "how (it turns out)". It usually follows the noun directly (「結果いかんで」), but 「の」 can be added (「結果のいかんによって」).
Meaning
- いかんで / いかんだ / いかんにかかっている: "depending on…" or "it all comes down to…". How A turns out decides B. A written version of 「次第で」 or 「によって」.
- いかんによっては: "depending on…, (it may even be that)…". It picks out one possible outcome, usually a serious or unwelcome one.
Restrictions:
- The noun has to be something whose content can vary, for better or worse: 結果, 成績, 対応, 出方, 努力, 交渉, 内容, 天候 and so on. ❌ 「社長いかんで決まる」 (a person doesn't "turn out" one way or another) → ⭕ 「社長の判断いかんで決まる」.
- After 「いかんで」 the main clause is usually 「決まる」, 「変わる」, 「左右される」 — something being decided by A. After 「いかんによっては」 it is one concrete possibility (「〜こともある」, 「〜可能性もある」, 「〜も辞さない」).
- Written style, for notices, news and formal speech; in conversation use 「次第」 or 「によって」.
Example Sentences
- 今回の交渉の結果いかんで、工場の存続が決まる。(The outcome of these talks will decide whether the factory survives.)
- 合格できるかどうかは、これからの努力いかんだ。(Whether you pass comes down to how hard you work from now on.)
- 試験の成績いかんによっては、奨学金の支給が打ち切られることもある。(Depending on your exam results, your scholarship may even be stopped.)
- 相手の出方いかんによっては、法的措置も辞さない構えだ。(Depending on how the other side responds, they are ready to take legal action.)
- プロジェクトの成否は、チームの結束力いかんにかかっている。(The success of the project depends on how well the team pulls together.)
Comparison
| Expression | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| いかんで | depending on… | Most formal; takes "outcome / content" nouns |
| 次第で | depending on… | Fine in writing and speech; N2 Lesson 74 |
| によって | depending on… (it varies) | Most neutral; N3 Lesson 35; just "varies with", not necessarily "is decided by" |
| いかんによっては | depending on…, it may even… | Picks out one possible (usually serious) outcome |
「天気次第で中止になる」 = 「天気いかんで中止になる」; the second sounds like an official notice.
「いかんによっては」 works like 「によっては」 but is more formal. 「場合によっては」 is a set phrase — 「場合いかんによっては」 is not normally said.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
2. 〜いかんにかかわらず/いかんによらず/いかんを問わず ~ikan ni kakawarazu / ikan ni yorazu / ikan wo towazu (Whatever… may be / Regardless of…)
Conjugation
- Noun + の + いかんにかかわらず
- Noun + の + いかんによらず
- Noun + の + いかんを問わず
※ This set usually takes 「の」, though it can be dropped (「理由いかんを問わず」). Set phrases: 「理由のいかんを問わず」, 「結果のいかんにかかわらず」, 「事情のいかんによらず」.
Meaning
"Whatever… may be" or "regardless of…". However A turns out, B still holds. The three forms mean essentially the same thing and appear in very formal writing: regulations, contracts, notices, official apologies.
Restrictions:
- As with point 1, the noun is something whose content can vary (理由, 結果, 事情, 動機, 内容).
- The main clause is a fixed rule, decision or judgement, often 「〜できません」, 「〜対象となる」 or 「〜許されない」.
- It is the exact opposite of point 1: choose by asking whether B is decided by A or unaffected by it. ❌ 「結果のいかんにかかわらず、今後の方針が決まる」 (contradictory).
Example Sentences
- 理由のいかんを問わず、一度納入された受験料はお返しできません。(Exam fees, once paid, cannot be refunded for any reason whatsoever.)
- 選考結果のいかんにかかわらず、応募者全員にメールでご連絡いたします。(Whatever the outcome of the selection, we will contact every applicant by email.)
- 事情のいかんによらず、無断欠勤は処分の対象となる。(Absence without notice is subject to disciplinary action, whatever the circumstances.)
- 動機のいかんにかかわらず、暴力は決して許されるものではない。(Whatever the motive, violence can never be excused.)
- 住民投票の結果いかんによらず、市長は計画を推し進める考えを示した。(The mayor said he would press ahead with the plan whatever the result of the local referendum.)
Comparison
| Expression | Noun before it | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| のいかんにかかわらず / によらず / を問わず | 理由, 結果, 事情 — "how it turns out" | Most formal; focuses on what A turns out to be |
| を問わず | 男女, 年齢, 昼夜, 有無 — ranges and opposites | N2 Lesson 67; common in job ads and notices |
| にかかわらず | 天候, 経験, AかBか, 〜する・しない | N2 Lesson 67; also takes 「行くかどうかにかかわらず」 |
| にもかかわらず | — | N3 Lesson 38; "despite" — a contrast, not "regardless" |
⭕ 性別を問わず △ 性別のいかんを問わず (gender isn't something that "turns out" one way or another, so it sounds off)
⭕ 理由のいかんを問わず ⭕ 理由を問わず (both fine; the first is more formal)
A typical N1 item: 「結果（ ）、～が決まる」 takes いかんで; 「結果の（ ）、～は変わらない」 takes いかんにかかわらず.
✍ Practice this point (4 questions)
3. 〜をよそに ~wo yoso ni (Paying no heed to… / Untouched by…)
Conjugation
- Noun + をよそに
※ 「よそ」 is "somewhere else, not one's concern", so 「〜をよそに」 is "treating ~ as someone else's business". Typical nouns: 心配, 反対, 期待, 批判, 不安, 喧騒.
Meaning
"Paying no heed to…", "ignoring…", "untouched by…". Two uses:
- The subject takes no notice of other people's worry, opposition or hopes and does as they please; often critical or exasperated.
- Something carries on quite unaffected by what is happening around it (「不況をよそに」, 「喧騒をよそに」).
Restrictions:
- The noun is other people's feelings or attitude, or the surrounding situation — not the subject's own feelings. In 「親の心配をよそに、息子は〜」, the parents worry and the son acts.
- Mostly third person. About yourself, mostly when looking back: ⭕ 「私は親の反対をよそに上京した」.
- The main clause is a fact, past or ongoing, not volition or a command: ❌ 「周囲の反対をよそに、計画を進めましょう」.
- Not for pushing through physical difficulties like rain or pain: △ 「大雨をよそに試合を続けた」 → ⭕ 「大雨をものともせず」.
Example Sentences
- 親の心配をよそに、息子は毎晩遅くまで遊び歩いている。(Paying no heed to his parents' worries, their son is out every night until late.)
- 住民の強い反対をよそに、市は高層マンションの建設計画を推し進めた。(Ignoring strong opposition from residents, the city pushed ahead with plans for a high-rise apartment block.)
- 周囲の期待をよそに、彼は家業を継がず画家の道を選んだ。(Defying everyone's expectations, he didn't take over the family business but chose to become a painter.)
- 長引く不況をよそに、その高級ブランドの売り上げは過去最高を記録した。(Untouched by the prolonged recession, the luxury brand's sales hit a record high.)
- 都会の喧騒をよそに、この山里では今も昔ながらの暮らしが営まれている。(Far from the bustle of the city, life in this mountain village still goes on as it always has.)
Comparison
| Expression | What comes before | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| をよそに | others' worry, opposition, hopes; the surroundings | Treated as none of one's business; often critical |
| もかまわず | being seen, one's clothes, the hour — things one should mind | Not caring; N2 Lesson 61 |
| をものともせず | hardship, injury, bad conditions | Overcoming them undaunted; admiring; N2 Lesson 61 |
「親の心配をよそに遊び歩く」 = to go out partying, deaf to one's parents' worries (critical)
「人目もかまわず泣き出した」 = to burst into tears without caring who was looking (ignoring the setting)
「足のけがをものともせず完走した」 = to finish the race despite an injured leg (admiring)
On the N1 test, 「心配・期待」 before the blank usually means をよそに; 「困難・けが・悪天候」 usually means をものともせず. 「反対・批判」 can take either: をよそに means ignoring it, をものともせず means pushing through it (N2 Lesson 61: 「周囲の批判をものともせず」) — let the rest of the sentence decide whether it's criticism or praise.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
4. 〜によらず ~ni yorazu (Regardless of… / Without relying on…)
Conjugation
- Noun + によらず
- Set phrases: 何事によらず (whatever it may be), 見かけによらず (contrary to appearances)
※ The written negative of 「による」, equivalent to 「によらないで」.
Meaning
- Regardless of…: A's differences make no difference; close to 「を問わず」. Typical: 年齢・性別・経験・国籍によらず.
- Not by means of…: not using A as the method (「武力によらず」, 「多数決によらず」).
- 見かけによらず: contrary to how someone looks.
Restrictions:
- Written style. In the "regardless" sense the noun is usually a category, not one specific person or thing: ❌ 「田中さんによらず」.
- With clauses like 「AかBか」 or 「〜するかどうか」, 「にかかわらず」 is the usual choice: △ 「行くかどうかによらず」 → ⭕ 「行くかどうかにかかわらず」.
Example Sentences
- 当社では、年齢や性別によらず、能力のある人材を積極的に登用している。(At our company we actively promote capable people regardless of age or gender.)
- この制度は、雇用形態によらず、すべての従業員が利用できる。(This scheme is open to all employees, whatever their type of contract.)
- 国際紛争は、武力によらず、あくまで対話によって解決すべきだ。(International disputes should be settled through dialogue, not by force.)
- 何事によらず、最初の一歩を踏み出すのが一番難しい。(Whatever it is, taking the first step is always the hardest part.)
- 彼は見かけによらず、とても涙もろい人だ。(He may not look it, but he's someone who is very easily moved to tears.)
Comparison
| Expression | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| によらず | regardless of…; not by means of… | Written; also "without using (a method)" |
| を問わず | regardless of… | Usually ranges or opposites; N2 Lesson 67 |
| にかかわらず | regardless of… | Can take 「AかBか」 or 「〜かどうか」; N2 Lesson 67 |
| のいかんによらず | whatever… may turn out to be | About outcome or content; point 2 |
「年齢によらず」⭕ 「年齢を問わず」⭕ 「年齢にかかわらず」⭕ (all three work)
「武力によらず解決する」⭕ 「武力を問わず」❌ (only によらず can mean "not by means of")
「人は見かけによらない」 is a common saying: you can't judge people by their looks.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
5. 〜に即して/に即した ~ni sokushite / ni sokushita (In line with… / Grounded in…)
Conjugation
- Noun + に即して
- Noun + に即した + noun
- Noun + に即しては (less common)
※ 「即」 is read 「そく」, "to fit closely, match". Typical nouns: 事実, 実態, 実情, 現実, 状況, 事例, 規則, 法律. When it means following laws or rules it is also written 「に則して」.
Meaning
"In line with…", "grounded in…", "matching…". Taking the facts, the real situation or the rules as the standard and sticking closely to them, rather than working in the abstract.
Restrictions:
- The noun is an objective fact or situation, or written rules. For wishes, expectations or policies 「に沿って」 is usual: △ 「お客様のご希望に即して」 → ⭕ 「お客様のご希望に沿って」. (「ニーズに即した」 is a common exception.)
- Formal written style, for reports, policy, education and legal writing.
Example Sentences
- 報告書は、推測を交えず、事実に即して書くこと。(Reports are to be written strictly according to the facts, with no speculation.)
- 被災地では、現場の実情に即した支援が求められている。(The disaster zone needs support that fits the actual situation on the ground.)
- 今回の不正行為については、社内規定に即して厳正に対処する方針だ。(The company intends to deal with this misconduct strictly, in line with its internal rules.)
- 子どもの発達段階に即した教材を開発することが重要だ。(It is important to develop teaching materials suited to children's stage of development.)
- 理論だけでなく、具体的な事例に即して考えてみよう。(Let's think it through with concrete cases, not just theory.)
Comparison
| Expression | What comes before | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| に即して | 事実, 実態, 実情, 規則 | Sticking closely to facts or rules, not drifting from reality |
| に沿って | 希望, 方針, 計画, マニュアル | Following wishes or a policy; N2 Lesson 69 |
| に基づいて | データ, 調査, 経験, 法律 | Using ~ as the basis or evidence; N3 Lesson 36 |
| に則って | 法, 伝統, 作法 | Observing norms or tradition; Lesson 91 |
「事実に即して書く」 = to write it as it happened (no distortion, nothing invented)
「お客様のご希望に沿ってプランを作る」 = to draw up a plan to suit the customer's wishes
「調査結果に基づいて判断する」 = to decide on the basis of the survey results
「伝統に則って儀式を行う」 = to hold a ceremony according to tradition
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
6. 〜にかかわる ~ni kakawaru (Affecting… / A matter of…)
Conjugation
- Noun + にかかわる + noun
- Noun + にかかわる (as the predicate)
※ Written 「関わる」 in kanji. Typical nouns: 命, 名誉, 信用, 存続, 将来, 合否, 沽券, プライバシー.
Meaning
"Affecting…", "a matter of…", "with a bearing on…". Something has a serious effect on life, honour, survival or another thing that matters. This "serious stakes" sense is what N1 tests.
Restrictions:
- The noun is something important or serious. △ 「今日の昼ご飯にかかわる問題」 (not normally used for trivial things).
- 「沽券にかかわる」 and 「命にかかわる」 are set phrases; the second often appears as 「命にかかわるけが／病気」.
- There is also a neutral sense, "to do with, be involved in" (「出版にかかわる仕事」 work in publishing). That is N2 usage and carries no sense of high stakes.
Example Sentences
- 軽いけがに見えても、頭を強く打った場合は命にかかわることもある。(Even if an injury looks minor, a hard blow to the head can be life-threatening.)
- 相次ぐ不祥事は、会社の存続にかかわる重大な問題だ。(The string of scandals is a serious problem that threatens the company's survival.)
- そんな安い仕事を引き受けたら、プロとしての沽券にかかわる。(Taking on such a cheap job would be beneath me as a professional.)
- 個人のプライバシーにかかわる情報は、厳重に管理しなければならない。(Information touching on personal privacy must be strictly controlled.)
- 合否にかかわる重要な書類なので、提出期限は必ず守ってください。(This document affects whether you pass, so be sure to meet the deadline.)
Comparison
| Expression | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| にかかわる | affecting… (seriously) | Has a bearing on something important |
| に関する | about… | Just the topic; neutral; N3 Lesson 36 |
| にかかわらず | regardless of… | Looks similar, unrelated meaning; N2 Lesson 67 |
「命にかかわる病気」 = a life-threatening illness (it affects whether you live)
「命に関する本」 = a book about life (just the topic)
「天候にかかわらず実施する」 = to go ahead whatever the weather
「にかかわる」 and 「にかかわらず」 differ by a couple of kana and mean completely different things — read the options carefully.
✍ Practice this point (3 questions)
Practice
Part 1: Choose the appropriate grammar (いかんで / いかんによっては / のいかんを問わず / をよそに / によらず / に即した / にかかわる / に沿って)
- 理由（ ）、提出期限を過ぎたレポートは受け付けない。
- 家族の心配（ ）、祖父は今も毎日畑仕事に出かけている。
- 交渉の結果（ ）、工場の閉鎖もあり得る。
- 患者の命（ ）問題なので、慎重に判断しなければならない。
- 今後の対応（ ）、顧客の信頼を取り戻せるかどうかが決まる。
- 現場の実態（ ）マニュアルに作り直す必要がある。
- 彼女は見かけ（ ）、かなりの負けず嫌いだ。
- お客様のご要望（ ）、プランを柔軟に調整いたします。
Part 2: Translate into Japanese
- Whether you succeed comes down to how hard you work from now on. (Use いかんだ)
- Anyone caught cheating in the exam will be disqualified, whatever their reason. (Use いかんにかかわらず)
- Ignoring the objections of those around him, he quit his job and started his own business. (Use をよそに)
- Anyone can apply for this scholarship, regardless of nationality. (Use によらず)
- Policy should be drawn up in line with the actual situation in each region. (Use に即して)
- This is a serious problem that affects the company's reputation. (Use にかかわる)
Answers
- のいかんを問わず (「のいかん」 is part of the option; 「理由を問わず」 or 「理由のいかんにかかわらず」 would also work)
- をよそに
- いかんによっては (the main clause is one serious possibility, 「閉鎖もあり得る」)
- にかかわる
- いかんで (the main clause is 「決まる」 — decided by A — so いかんを問わず is ruled out)
- に即した (the noun is 「実態」 and a noun, 「マニュアル」, follows, so the attributive form is needed)
- によらず
- に沿って (「要望」 is a wish, which usually takes 「に沿って」; 「に即して」 is △)
- 成功するかどうかは、今後の努力いかんだ。
- 理由のいかんにかかわらず、試験中に不正行為をした者は失格となる。
- 周囲の反対をよそに、彼は会社を辞めて起業した。
- この奨学金は、国籍によらず誰でも申請できる。
- 政策は地域の実情に即して立てるべきだ。
- これは会社の信用にかかわる大問題だ。
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