Explanation
Use "despite" or "in spite of" to show contrast. After them, use a noun or a gerund, not a full clause.
For example, "Despite the rain, we went out." Here "despite" shows a contrast, "the rain" is the noun after it, and "we went out" is the main action. Japanese often uses "〜のに" or "〜ても" for this idea. Do not say "despite he was tired." Say "despite being tired" or "although he was tired."
"despite" や "in spite of" は、前の内容と反対のことを言うときに使います。後ろには文全体ではなく、名詞か動名詞を置きます。
例えば "Despite the rain, we went out." では、"despite" が対比を表し、"the rain" が後ろの名詞、"we went out" が主な内容です。日本語では「雨だったのに」「雨でも」のように言えます。"despite he was tired" とは言わず、"despite being tired" または "although he was tired" にします。
Examples
- Despite the rain, we went out. 雨だったけれど、私たちは出かけました。
- In spite of his fatigue, he finished the report. 彼は疲労困憊していたにもかかわらず、報告書を完成させた。
- Despite feeling tired, he played tennis. 疲れていたけれど、彼はテニスをしました。
- We enjoyed the trip despite the cold weather. 寒い天気でしたが、私たちは旅行を楽しみました。
- Why did you stay out despite the late hour? そんな遅い時間なのに、なぜ外にいたのですか。
- She didn't complain despite waiting for an hour. 1時間も待ったのに、彼女は文句を言いませんでした。
Common Mistakes
Japanese learners often say "despite of" or use a full clause after "despite."
Wrong: "Despite of the rain, we went out."
Right: "Despite the rain, we went out."
Wrong: "Despite he was tired, he worked."
Right: "Despite being tired, he worked."
You can also say "Although he was tired, he worked."
日本人学習者は "despite of" と言ってしまったり、"despite" の後ろに文をそのまま置いてしまったりしやすいです。
誤り: "Despite of the rain, we went out."
正しくは "Despite the rain, we went out."
誤り: "Despite he was tired, he worked."
正しくは "Despite being tired, he worked."
あるいは "Although he was tired, he worked." です。