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いかんによらず/いかんにかかわらず — “regardless of, no matter what”

JLPT N1 Emphasis & Exclusivity

A very formal way to say a particular factor makes absolutely no difference

Noun + の + いかんによらず (or いかんにかかわらず) says that no matter what the specifics of that noun turn out to be, the outcome is unaffected — “regardless of X, no matter how X turns out.” It's extremely formal, common in legal and official language, close to を問わず but even more rigid-sounding.

How to form it

PatternExample
Noun + の + いかんによらず理由のいかんによらず、遅刻は遅刻だ — Regardless of the reason, being late is being late

Example sentences

JapaneseReadingMeaning
けっかのいかんにかかわらず、ぜんりょくをつくします。
kekkanoikannikakawarazu、zenryokuwotsukushimasu。
Regardless of the outcome, I will give my full effort.
てんこうのいかんによらず、いべんとはよていどおりかいさいされます。
tenkounoikanniyorazu、ibentohayoteidoorikaisaisaremasu。
Regardless of the weather, the event will be held as scheduled.
りゆうのいかんをとわず、きそくいはんはゆるされない。
riyuunoikanwotowazu、kisokuihanhayurusarenai。
No matter the reason, breaking the rules isn't permitted.

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Watch out

いかんによらず is stiff, formal officialese — in ordinary conversation, を問わず or にかかわらず is already formal enough; いかんによらず is a further notch up, best reserved for contracts, rules, and formal announcements.

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