と言わず
Not only A or B but every-; A, B and every-; Not only A or B but all over; A, B both, whether A or B
Structure
Explanation
When used twice, と言わず highlights that something applies to a whole category by giving two examples, (A) and (B). The nuance is that the situation is not exclusive to (A) or (B), but includes them and everything else like them. It can be translated as 'be it (A) or (B)', or 'not only (A) and (B), but...'. This expression is formed from the quotation particle と, and 言わず, which is a classical negative form of the verb 言う (to say). The literal meaning, 'without saying (A), without saying (B)', implies that one is not singling out just those items.
This grammar pattern connects two nouns, (A) and (B), before making a statement that is true for the entire group they represent.
- 公園で遊んだ後、彼は手と言わず、足と言わず、全身泥だらけだった。After playing in the park, he was covered in mud all over—be it his hands or his feet.
- うちの赤ちゃんは朝と言わず、夜と言わず、いつも泣いている。Our baby is always crying, be it morning or night.
- このお寺は日本人と言わず、外国人と言わず、多くの観光客が訪れる。This temple is visited by many tourists, both Japanese and foreign.
It is vital to remember that (A) and (B) must belong to the same logical category for this structure to sound natural. For instance, hands and feet are parts of the body, morning and night are parts of the day, and dogs and cats are types of pets.
と言わず～と言わず is a somewhat literary expression that is more common in writing than in casual, spoken Japanese.
Examples
あの店は学生と言わず社会人と言わず、いつも若者でいっぱいです。
That shop is always packed with young people, not just students but also working adults.
うちの猫は平日と言わず週末と言わず、一日中ずっと寝ています。
My cat sleeps all day long, not only on weekdays but on weekends too.
息子が床と言わず壁と言わず、クレヨンで落書きをしてしまった。
My son ended up scribbling with crayons not just on the floor but all over the walls.
外で遊んだ後、子供たちは顔と言わず服と言わず泥だらけだった。
After playing outside, the children were covered in mud, not only on their faces but all over their clothes.
彼は晴れの日と言わず雨の日と言わず、毎日サッカーの練習をしています。
He practices soccer every day, not just on sunny days but on rainy days too.
あのバンドは国内と言わず海外と言わず、絶大な人気を誇っている。
That band boasts immense popularity, not only domestically but overseas as well.
弟はサラダと言わず肉料理と言わず、どんな食べ物にもマヨネーズをかける。
My younger brother puts mayonnaise on all kinds of food, not just salads but also meat dishes.
小説：「パニックの中、大人と言わず子供と言わず、皆が出口に殺到した。」
Novel: 'In the middle of the panic, not just the adults but the children as well, everyone rushed to the exit.'
小説：「この季節は山と言わず川と言わず、至る所が美しい紅葉で彩られる。」
Novel: 'In this season, not only in the mountains but also along the rivers, everywhere is colored with beautiful autumn leaves.'
小説：「彼女は喜びのあまり、手と言わず声と言わず、全身を震わせていた。」
Novel: 'She was so overcome with joy that her whole body was trembling, not only her hands but her voice as well.'