despite; in spite of

にもかかわらず marks a result that runs against what the first clause would lead you to expect. Attach it to a noun or a plain form. It is more formal and more emphatic than のに, and it often carries a note of surprise that the expected outcome did not follow.

Examples

• 雨あめにもかかわらず、試合しあいは行おこなわれた。

  Ame ni mo kakawarazu, shiai wa okonawareta.

  The match was held despite the rain.

• 努力どりょくしたにもかかわらず、結果けっかは出でなかった。

  Doryoku shita ni mo kakawarazu, kekka wa denakatta.

  In spite of all the effort, there were no results.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 雨 rain
• 試合 match, game
• 努力 effort
• する to do
• 結果 result, outcome
• 出る to leave; to exit

Related patterns · Contrast and concession

• 〜反面 on the other hand; while
• 〜一方で while; on the other hand
• 〜わりに considering; for (despite expectation)
• 〜にしては for; considering it's
• 〜どころか far from; let alone
• 〜からといって just because... doesn't mean