This article focuses on the JLPT N2 grammar point ~を問わず (wo towazu). If you understand its core logic and syntax rules, you will significantly increase your chances of getting these questions right on the exam.
The Core Logic: Deleting the Question
- The Concept: “Excluding the criteria before the process starts.”
- The Visual: Imagine a survey or application form where a specific question has been deleted.
- The Perspective: It represents the stance of the provider or organizer.
When an organization says “Regardless of nationality (国籍を問わず),” they are essentially saying:
“We are not going to ask where you are from. That data is irrelevant to us. We treat everyone as one single group.”
Rule 1: It Connects Only to Nouns
Grammatically, ~を問わず connects exclusively to nouns.
The reason lies in the particle を (wo). In Japanese, を marks the object of an action. This phrase is derived from the verb 問う (tou – to ask/question). Since you can only “ask” or “question” an object (a noun), the word preceding “~を問わず” must be a noun.
If you see a verb form (e.g., “whether you do or not”) immediately before the blank in an exam, ~を問わず is the incorrect choice.
- ○ 国籍を問わず (Noun: Nationality)
- × どこの国の人かに問わず (Clause/Sentence: Not a simple noun)
Rule 2: Look for “Twin Pairs”
In the JLPT, when ~を問わず is the correct answer, it is very often preceded by specific pairs of opposite words that form a category. Spotting these is the fastest route to the correct answer.
- 男女を問わず (Regardless of gender / Men and women)
- 昼夜を問わず (Regardless of day or night)
- 内外を問わず (Inside or outside / Domestic or overseas)
- 有無を問わず (Regardless of presence or absence / Whether you have experience or not)
Case Studies
そのアニメ映画は、世代を問わず、多くの人々に感動を与えている。 (That anime movie moves many people, regardless of their generation.)
この奨学金制度は、国籍を問わず、利用可能である。 (This scholarship system is available to everyone, regardless of nationality.)
あのレストランは、昼夜を問わず、いつも多くのお客さんで賑わっている。 (That restaurant is always crowded with customers, regardless of day or night.)
Quiz
Q1: Scramble — Put the words in the correct order. 今回のキャンペーンは () () ( ★ ) (____) 誰でも参加できます。 ① 問わず ② 経験の ③ 有無を ④ 初心者でも
Q2: Select the correct answer. この野外ライブは、(____)、予定通り決行します。 ① 雨が降るか降らないかを問わず ② 天候を問わず
Summary
| Point | Description |
| Logic | The Deleted Question. The organizer chooses not to ask for this specific data. |
| Connectivity | Nouns Only. Because of the particle “を” (wo). |
| Exam Signal | Twin Pairs. Look for opposites like 男女 (Gender) or 昼夜 (Day/Night). |
| Tone | Official/Formal. Frequently used in recruitment, ads, and formal notices. |
Q1: Answer: ②③①④ (経験の有無を問わず、初心者でも)
- Logic: The “Twin Pair” 有無 (Presence/Absence) is the perfect match for を問わず. The sentence means: “Regardless of whether you have experience or not, even beginners can join.”
Q2: Answer: ② 天候を問わず
- Logic: ~を問わず cannot follow a clause/phrase like “whether it rains or not” (Option ①). It must follow a noun. 天候 (Weather) is a noun representing a category, making Option ② the grammatically correct choice for the N2 exam.
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