JLPT N2 Grammar – How to use”〜を問わず”
Table of Contents
1. How to use”〜を問わず”
2. 〜を問わず
3. A問わずB
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: I was told that “野菜を問わず、なんでも食べます。” is incorrect, and “野菜の種類を問わず、なんでも食べます。” is correct. Why is that?
A: Using “野菜を問わず” makes the scope too broad and unclear. By saying “野菜の種類を問わず,” it specifies that the statement is limited to the types of vegetables, making the meaning clearer. Let’s look into this in more detail.
〜を問わず (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
Regardless of 〜; Irrespective of 〜
B applies no matter what A is
[Usage]
[N] Noun＋を問わず
[Commonly Used Words]
年齢(Age), 性別(gender), 経験(experience), 学歴(educational background), 季節(season), 国(country), 昼夜(day and night), 種類(type), etc.
[Examples]
年齢を問わずこのイベントに参加できます。
People of all ages can participate in this event.
経験を問わず誰でも応募できるアルバイトです。
This is a job anyone can apply for, regardless of experience.
この街は昼夜を問わず、いつも多くの人でにぎわっています。
This town is always bustling with people, day or night.
音楽はジャンルを問わず、なんでも聴きます。
I listen to all kinds of music, regardless of genre.
How to Use “Aを問わずB”
This expression is used when you want to say “B applies regardless of A.”
However, A is often a word that represents a “range or condition” or “opposing concepts.” If the scope of the word is too broad, it can become ambiguous, covering irrelevant areas. Therefore, it is necessary to narrow down the scope to some extent.
[Scope or conditions]
[Example]
× 野菜を問わず、なんでも食べます。
I eat anything, regardless of vegetables.
⇒ “野菜” (vegetables) includes many varieties, and saying “regardless of vegetables” could imply either all vegetables or even items outside of vegetables, making it unclear.
*Even if you mean all vegetables or beyond, “野菜を問わず” is not used in this case.
[Example]
◯ 野菜の種類を問わず、なんでも食べます。
I eat anything, regardless of the type of vegetables.
⇒ By specifying the topic is about “the type of vegetables,” the scope becomes clear, meaning “regardless of the type of vegetables.” This makes the meaning accurate and unambiguous.
[Words representing opposing relationships]
[Examples]
昼夜を問わずこのスーパーはにぎわっています。
This supermarket is bustling with people day and night.
⇒ Day and night are opposite times. This means “regardless of whether it’s day or night.”
この服は男女を問わず着られます。
This clothing can be worn by anyone, regardless of gender.
⇒ Male and female represent different genders. This means “whether male or female, it doesn’t matter.”
Let’s Compare
Which expression is more appropriate in the following cases?
[Example]
国を問わずどこにでも行きたいです。
I want to go anywhere, regardless of the country.
VS
国内外を問わずどこにでも行きたいです。
I want to travel anywhere, within the country or abroad.
Both are appropriate, but there is a subtle difference in meaning.
In the case of “国を問わず,” the speaker refers to countries other than the one they are in, using their own country as the center. “国内外” (domestic and international) represents opposing concepts of “inside” and “outside,” and includes both the speaker’s own country and foreign countries.
While “国” can feel broad or vague, “〜を問わず” is usually used with a fairly defined range of words, so it’s helpful to remember these common expressions.
Summary
- The phrase “～を問わず” is often used with words that represent “scope or conditions” or “opposing relationships.”
- Using only the “subject” can be too vague, so it’s necessary to narrow the scope or conditions.
- Commonly used words include age, gender, experience, educational background, season, country, day and night, and type.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 果物の種類を問わず
果物の種類を問わずなんでも好きです。
I like all kinds of fruit, regardless of type.
*Simply saying “fruit” is too vague, so specifying “type” helps narrow the scope.
A. 季節を問わず
ここは、季節を問わず景色を楽しめます。
You can enjoy the scenery here in any season.
*”Season” alone sufficiently narrows the scope, so “season” is correct. The phrase “季節のとき” (in the time of the season) is not used.
A. 昼夜を問わず
昼夜を問わずウェブからいつでも問い合わせができます。
You can make inquiries via the web at any time, day or night.
*Since opposing terms are used, “昼夜を問わず” is correct.
A. どちらでもよい
性別を問わずボランティアが必要です。 男女を問わず）ボランティアが必要です。
Volunteers are needed, regardless of gender.
Volunteers are needed, whether male or female.
*Both are correct. “Gender” expresses scope or conditions, while “male and female” indicates opposing terms.
