N1 has three patterns for expressing "going beyond" or "regardless": にとどまらず means "not limited to," おろか means "let alone," and ようが〜まいが means "whether or not."
にとどまらず: Not Limited To… But Also…
「にとどまらず」expresses something extending beyond one scope to a wider one:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 日本人は古典にとどまらず、現代文学にも興味を持っている。 | Japanese people are interested not just in classics but also in modern literature. |
| 彼の影響力は国内にとどまらず、海外にまで及んでいる。 | His influence extends not just domestically but overseas as well. |
| 被害は建物にとどまらず、周辺の道路にも広がった。 | The damage spread beyond just the buildings to surrounding roads as well. |
Connection: Noun + にとどまらず とどまる = to stay/remain → negative = doesn't stay within = expands beyond.
Key Points
- Tone is neutral, objective
- Emphasizes a natural expansion from A to B
- Mostly written/formal style
おろか: Let Alone… / Not to Mention…
「おろか」expresses A goes without saying; even the harder B applies (emphasizing degree):
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 国内はおろか、海外でも人気を博している。 | Let alone domestically, it's popular even overseas. |
| 漢字はおろか、ひらがなさえ読めない。 | Let alone kanji, they can't even read hiragana. |
| 旅行はおろか、近所への外出もできなかった。 | Let alone travel, I couldn't even go to the nearby shops. |
Connection: Noun + はおろか 愚か = foolish → "that's too obvious to even mention" → "let alone."
Key Points
- Tone is stronger and more emphatic than にとどまらず
- A is the easy/obvious thing, B is the more extreme thing
- Emphasizes "A isn't even worth mentioning; look at B"
ようが〜まいが: Whether You Do or Don't…
「ようが〜まいが」expresses regardless of whether an action happens, the conclusion doesn't change:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 晴れようが晴れまいが、出発します。 | Whether it clears up or not, we're leaving. |
| 出席しようがしまいが、返事をしてください。 | Whether you attend or not, please reply. |
| あなたが信じようが信じまいが、これは事実だ。 | Whether you believe it or not, this is a fact. |
Connection: Verb volitional (よう) + が + Verb dictionary form + まいが Shortened: ようがしまいが (omitting the repeated verb)
Comparison with であろうと〜であるまいと
| Pattern | Connection | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| ようが〜まいが | Verbs | "Whether you do or don't" |
| であろうと〜であるまいと | Nouns/な-adj | "Whether it is or isn't" |
Same logic (regardless, conclusion stands) but different parts of speech.
Comparison
| Pattern | Meaning | Tone |
|---|---|---|
| にとどまらず | Not limited to A, also B | Neutral expansion |
| おろか | Let alone A, even B | Strong emphasis |
| ようが〜まいが | Whether or not | Indifference |
Summary
- 「にとどまらず」= Naturally expands from A to B (neutral, objective)
- 「おろか」= A goes without saying, even B applies (emphatic)
- 「ようが〜まいが」= Whether you do or don't, the conclusion stands (indifference)
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「漢字はおろか、ひらがなさえ読めない。」
Show Answer
"Let alone kanji, they can't even read hiragana." おろか = A isn't worth mentioning; even B can't be achieved.
2. Complete with ようが〜まいが: あなたが信じ______, これは事実だ。
Show Answer
あなたが信じようが信じまいが、これは事実だ。 "Whether you believe it or not, this is a fact."
3. How do にとどまらず and おろか differ?
Show Answer
にとどまらず is neutral, expressing natural expansion of scope. おろか is more emphatic, meaning "A isn't even worth mentioning; look at B."