を余所に
Ignoring, Disregarding, Despite
Structure
Phrase + の + をよそに
Explanation
を余所に indicates that someone acts as if (A) is completely irrelevant or doesn't concern them, often while doing something else (B). It can be translated as 'paying no mind to (A)' or 'without any regard for (A)'. This expression is formed by the adverbial particle を, the noun 余所 ('elsewhere' or 'another place'), and the particle に. Its literal meaning is close to 'setting (A) aside to do (B)'.
This grammar point is attached to nouns, or to clauses that have been nominalized using の. It carries a somewhat formal tone and is encountered more frequently in written language.
- チームはファンの期待をよそに、あっさり試合に負けてしまった。Paying no mind to the fans' expectations, the team lost the game without putting up much of a fight.
- 市は住民の不安をよそに、新しいビルの建設を始めた。Disregarding the residents' concerns, the city began construction of a new building.
- 彼は真剣な会議の雰囲気をよそに、一人でジョークを言って笑っていた。Ignoring the serious atmosphere of the meeting, he was telling jokes and laughing by himself.
Typically, the phrase before をよそに describes a broader context or concern (A), while the phrase after it describes an action (B) performed in complete disregard of that context. For this reason, it often implies criticism towards behavior that is considered selfish or inconsiderate.
Caution
Although this grammar point is used to describe a person's actions, it is typically not used to talk about what the speaker themselves has done.
- 私は医者の警告をよそに、ケーキを食べてしまった。Paying no mind to my doctor's warning, I ended up eating the cake.
Examples
先生の熱心な授業を余所に、生徒は窓の外をぼんやり眺めていた。
Ignoring the teacher's enthusiastic lesson, the student was spacing out while gazing out the window.
多額の借金を余所に、彼女はまた新しいブランドバッグを買ってきた。
Despite her significant debt, she came home with another new designer bag.
医者のドクターストップを余所に、その選手は試合に出場することを決めた。
Ignoring the doctor's orders to stop, the athlete decided to compete in the match.
熱いから触るなという母親の注意を余所に、子供はストーブに手を伸ばしてしまった。
Ignoring his mother's warning not to touch it because it was hot, the child reached out his hand to the stove.
会社の経営危機を余所に、社長は海外で優雅なバカンスを楽しんでいた。
Ignoring the company's financial crisis, the CEO was enjoying an elegant vacation abroad.
周りの迷惑を余所に、図書館で大声で話している人がいる。
Ignoring the fact that they're bothering everyone around them, there are people talking loudly in the library.
試験に落ちて落ち込んでいる友人を余所に、彼は自分の合格を自慢した。
Ignoring his friend who was dejected after failing the exam, he bragged about his own passing grade.
「禁煙」の貼り紙を余所に、彼は平然とタバコを吸い始めた。
Ignoring the "No Smoking" sign, he nonchalantly started smoking a cigarette.
凍えるような寒さを余所に、あそこの若者は半袖Tシャツ一枚だ。
Despite the freezing cold, that young person over there is wearing just a short-sleeved t-shirt.
観客の白けた反応を余所に、その芸人は自信満々にネタを続けた。
Ignoring the audience's unenthusiastic reaction, the comedian confidently continued with his routine.
赤ちゃんが泣き叫んでいるのを余所に、父親はスマホのゲームに夢中だった。
Ignoring the fact that the baby was crying its eyes out, the father was engrossed in a game on his smartphone.
真剣な会議の雰囲気を余所に、新人の田中くんはこっそりスマホでゲームをしていた。
Ignoring the serious atmosphere of the meeting, the new hire, Tanaka, was secretly playing a game on his phone.
飼い犬の「少し分けて」という切実な眼差しを余所に、彼は一人でステーキを平らげた。
Ignoring his dog's earnest gaze that pleaded, "share a little," he devoured the entire steak by himself.