第305課: Disregard IV: ｛に・も｝構わず, をよそに, & にもめげず（に）
In this fourth and final installation of expressions concerning disregard, we will cover expressions that revolve around the subject not caring about “X” when doing “Y.”
｛に・も｝かまわず
The verb 構う means “to mind/be concerned with.” Typically, it is used as an intransitive verb, which is why it takes に in most of the following examples.
1. 私は全然構いません。
I don’t mind at all.
2. 私に構わないでください。
Don’t bother me.
3. 他人のことに構っていられない。
I have too many of my own problems to deal with the problems of others.
In the expression ｛に・も｝構わず, it is used to show that one doesn’t care about “X” as one goes about doing “Y.” The use of も makes the verb transitive, and it is also makes the expression more emphatic overall.
4. 母親は合鍵を持っているので、時間に構わず押しかけてくることもあります。
My mother has a duplicate key, so she often comes intruding on me regardless of the time.
5. 彼は雨に濡れるのもかまわずお店へ歩き続けた。
He continued walking to the store whilst not caring about getting wet.
6. あの男性は、近所の人の迷惑も構わず、毎晩遅くまで騒いでいる。
That man makes racket late into the night every evening without caring about the trouble it causes his neighbors.
7. 彼女は人目もかまわず泣き出した。
She burst into tears without caring about attention from others.
8. ぎっくり腰は場所も時間もかまわず襲ってくるものです。
A strained back attacks irrespective of place and time.
9. あの店の常連客のほとんどは、値段も構わず高価な商品を買い求める老婦人だ。
Most of the regular customers of that shop are old women who buy expensive products without caring about price.
10. 彼は家族の心配もかまわず、実家を出て上京した。
He left his parents’ home and went to Tokyo without caring about his family’s worries.
11. 彼女は給料もかまわずに好きな仕事をやることにした。
She decided to work that she liked without carrying about the salary.
12. 何にも構わずに、ありのままで自分になるんだ。
I will be my true self without carrying about anything.
13. 所構わずゴミを捨てる人が気になります。
People who throw trash away indiscriminately of place bother me.
14. 私にかまわず、お先にどうぞ。
Please don’t mind me. Go on ahead.
15. 彼らは周囲｛に・も｝かまわずキスしたりイチャイチャしたりしていた。
They were kissing and making out without regard to their surroundings.
～をよそに
The expression をよそに is used to show that one completely disregards and shoves “X” as one goes ahead and does “Y.” It is often used with words like 批判 (criticism), 反対 (opposition), 心配 (worry), etc.
16. 国民の反対の声をよそに、改正案が可決された。
Despite voices of opposition from the people, the reform bill was passed.
17. 県民の抗議をよそに、軍事基地の建設計画が進められている。
Despite protest from the people of the prefecture, construction plans for the military base are underway.
18. 親の心配をよそに、腕が折れてギプスをしている憲太郎はまたも友達と遊びに出かけてしまった。
Kentaro, who broke his arm which is in a cast, went out again to have fun with friends despite his parents’ worries.
19. 共和党は、国民の批判をよそに、今年も増税法案を提出した。
The Republican Party has submitted a tax increase bill this year as well despite criticism from the people.
20. 先生に怒鳴られて皆が緊張しているのをよそに、彼氏だけぼんやりと馬鹿みたいに天井を向いていた。
Only my boyfriend is the one looking up at the ceiling aimlessly like an idiot despite everyone being nervous from being shouted at by the teacher.
21. 彼は両親の心配をよそに、ゲームに没頭している。
He has lost himself in gaming despite his parents’ worries.
22. 雨の予報をよそに、傘を持たずにタイミングよく素晴らしい晴天で、彼氏と一緒に湖のほとりを散歩することができた。
I was able to walk along the lake together with my boyfriend without bringing umbrellas under wonderful clear skies thanks to good timing despite the forecast for rain.
23. 住民の不安をよそに、知事が原発の再稼働を認めた。
Despite uneasiness that the residents have, the governor has approved the resuming operations of nuclear power.
24. 家族の期待をよそに、弟は結局大学には入らずにアルバイト生活を続けている。
My little brother, despite the family’s expectations, ended up not getting into college and continues being a part-time worker.
25. お祭りの渋滞をよそに、素通りして帰宅した。
I passed by the congestion from the festival when I returned home.
26. 彼は医者の忠告をよそに、毎日お酒を飲んでいる。
Despite his doctor’s warning, he drinks every day.
27. 核兵器禁止条約をよそに、北朝鮮やイランなどといった国は核実験を行い続けている。
There are nations such as North Korea and Iran that continue performing nuclear tests despite the Nuclear Weapons Convention.
28. 国民の非難をよそに、その汚職政治家はまたしても議席に返り咲いた。
The corrupt politician made yet another comeback to his seat despite reproach from the people.
The word よそ, especially when written as 他所・余所, may also mean “elsewhere.”
29. 他所の店に行きな！
Go to another store!
30. 今夜は他所に泊まらなきゃ。
I have to stay somewhere else tonight.
にもめげず（に）
The pattern にもめげず（に） is used after nouns that relate to personal adversity that the speaker then overcomes somehow in situation Y. This phrase is typically literary, but the subject of the action is painted in a very positive light.
31. 彼は度重なる不幸にもめげず、いつも前向きだった。
He was always positive in the face of repeated sorrows.
32. この町の梨は、悪条件にもめげず、立派に美味しいです。
This town’s peaches are splendidly delicious even with unfavorable conditions.
33. 彼はどんな困難にもめげずに夢を諦めなかった。
He didn’t give up on his dreams despite whatever hardship.
34. その選手は、苦境にもめげず、試合に向かってメダルを勝ち取った。
The athlete thought nothing of his predicament, faced the match, and won the medal.
35. 田中はどんな不幸や不運にもめげず、いつも笑顔を絶やさない。
Tanaka never stops smiling, not discouraged by whatever sorrow or misfortune.
36. 数々の試練にもめげず、ヒロインが未来を切り開いていく。
Not discouraged by numerous trials, the heroine opens up the future.
37. 大地震にもめげずに 元気で健気な島の人々にほっとした。
I was relieved with how the people of the island were gallant and vigorous, and not discouraged by the great quake.
38. 台風にもめげずに沖縄から行ってきました。
I’ve returned from Okinawa despite the typhoon.
39. 彼は病気にもめげず、多忙な毎日にもへこたれずに楽しく生きている。
He lives happily and not discouraged even as each day is busy despite his illness.
40. 日本のモノづくり企業は、どんな逆風にもめげず、知恵と忍耐力で克服してきた。
Japan’s manufacturers have overcome all sorts of adversity with wit and perseverance.