을/를 막론하고

Overview

The grammatical pattern 을/를 막론하고 is used to express that a certain fact or situation applies universally, without exception, to all items or categories mentioned or implied. It conveys the idea of 'regardless of' or 'irrespective of' the preceding noun or pronoun.

---

Usage

This expression is typically attached to nouns or pronouns that represent categories, groups, or specific items. It signifies that the statement in the following clause holds true for all members or instances of the preceding noun, emphasizing inclusivity and impartiality. It's often used in formal or written contexts to make a strong, general statement. For example, if you say '남녀노소를 막론하고' (regardless of gender or age), it means the subsequent action or rule applies to everyone, young or old, male or female.

---

Conjugation Rules

을/를 막론하고 attaches directly to nouns or pronouns.

• If the noun ends with a consonant, use 을 막론하고.
• If the noun ends with a vowel, use 를 막론하고.
  • Example: 성별 (gender) + 을 막론하고 -> 성별을 막론하고
  • Example: 나이 (age) + 를 막론하고 -> 나이를 막론하고

---

Knowledge Plus

을/를 막론하고 is a relatively formal expression. While it shares a similar meaning with '에 관계없이' (regardless of), '을/를 막론하고' often carries a stronger nuance of considering all possibilities and explicitly excluding none. It's frequently used with pairs of contrasting nouns (e.g., 남녀, 동서고금, 빈부) to emphasize comprehensive applicability. It can also be used with interrogative pronouns (누구, 무엇, 어디, 언제) to mean 'no matter who/what/where/when'.