〜もかまわず
mo kamawazu
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
without minding, regardless of, heedless of
〜もかまわず means "without caring about X": the person ignores something that would normally stop or restrain them, such as other people's eyes, dirty clothes, or rain. 人目もかまわず大声で泣いた. It comes from かまう (to mind) and often describes dramatic or impulsive behavior.
Written and narrative Japanese; also in speech when describing someone vividly. Set phrases: 人目もかまわず, なりふりかまわず (without caring about appearances). In neutral explanations use 〜を気にしないで.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + もかまわず (人目もかまわず)Verb / clause (plain form) + の + もかまわず (服が汚れるのもかまわず)Set phrase: なりふりかまわず (heedless of appearance)Related: 〜にかまわず / 〜にもかまわず (less common)
Visual diagram
- 人目something normally worth minding
- もかまわずwithout caring about it
- 、大声で泣いたthe unrestrained action
Natural examples
彼は人目もかまわず、大声で泣いた。
かれはひとめもかまわず、おおごえでないた。
He cried loudly without caring who was watching.
Ignoring other people's eyes: the most typical noun.
服が汚れるのもかまわず、子供を助けに行った。
ふくがよごれるのもかまわず、こどもをたすけにいった。
Without minding that his clothes would get dirty, he went to save the child.
Clause + のもかまわず: ignoring that clothes would get dirty.
雨が降っているのもかまわず、走り続けた。
あめがふっているのもかまわず、はしりつづけた。
Regardless of the rain, I kept running.
Ignoring the rain and continuing.
彼女はなりふりかまわず、子供のために働いた。
かのじょはなりふりかまわず、こどものためにはたらいた。
She worked for her children without caring about appearances.
なりふりかまわず is a set phrase.
周りが止めるのもかまわず、彼は一人で山に向かった。
まわりがとめるのもかまわず、かれはひとりでやまにむかった。
Ignoring those around him who tried to stop him, he headed for the mountain alone.
A clause + のもかまわず describing impulsive action.
Similar grammar and the difference
〜を気にせず / 〜を気にしないで
Neutral "without worrying about"; no dramatic nuance.
"Regardless of (a variable)": a rule, not a person ignoring something. Compare side by side
"Irrespective of": formal rule language. Compare side by side
〜をよそに
"Ignoring (others' concern)": N1-level, close in meaning.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 人目もかまわないで泣いた。(acceptable but…)
- ✓
- 人目もかまわず泣いた。
- Why
- The set form is かまわず; かまわないで is possible but loses the idiomatic feel.
- ✗
- 雨が降っているもかまわず
- ✓
- 雨が降っているのもかまわず
- Why
- A clause needs の before もかまわず.
- ✗
- 年齢もかまわず、誰でも参加できる。
- ✓
- 年齢にかかわらず、誰でも参加できる。
- Why
- A rule ignoring a variable is にかかわらず; もかまわず describes a person's heedless behavior.
The subject is a person acting heedlessly; the thing ignored is something socially or physically restraining. Often followed by dramatic verbs: 泣く, 走る, 飛び込む, 叫ぶ. かまわず can also stand alone: かまわず進め (go on regardless).
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence describes someone acting without regard for people's eyes, dirt, danger, or rain, choose もかまわず.
- A clause before the blank needs の; check for it.
- Distractors include にかかわらず and を問わず (both rule-like) and にもかかわらず (despite).
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜もかまわず mean?
without minding, regardless of, heedless of. 〜もかまわず means "without caring about X": the person ignores something that would normally stop or restrain them, such as other people's eyes, dirty clothes, or rain. 人目もかまわず大声で泣いた. It comes from かまう (to mind) and often describes dramatic or impulsive behavior.
How do you form 〜もかまわず?
Noun + もかまわず (人目もかまわず) / Verb / clause (plain form) + の + もかまわず (服が汚れるのもかまわず) / Set phrase: なりふりかまわず (heedless of appearance) / Related: 〜にかまわず / 〜にもかまわず (less common). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜もかまわず used?
Written and narrative Japanese; also in speech when describing someone vividly. Set phrases: 人目もかまわず, なりふりかまわず (without caring about appearances). In neutral explanations use 〜を気にしないで.
What is the difference between 〜もかまわず and 〜を気にせず / 〜を気にしないで?
Neutral "without worrying about"; no dramatic nuance.
What is the difference between 〜もかまわず and 〜にかかわらず?
"Regardless of (a variable)": a rule, not a person ignoring something.
What is a common mistake with 〜もかまわず?
Wrong: 人目もかまわないで泣いた。(acceptable but…) Right: 人目もかまわず泣いた。 The set form is かまわず; かまわないで is possible but loses the idiomatic feel.
Quick check
彼は靴が濡れるの（ ）、川に入って子供を助けた。