Kotomora
JLPT N1ConstructionWritten
Furigana

をものともせず(に)Undaunted by

をものともせず(に) says that someone takes determined action without being deterred by a serious obstacle. It usually presents that courage, resilience, or commitment with admiration.

Serious obstacles and determined action

The noun before the expression names the obstacle. The following verb must show that the subject continued or acted boldly despite it.

きゅうじょたいはげしい吹雪ふぶきをものともせずそうなんしゃそうさくつづけた。

Undeterred by the fierce blizzard, the rescue team continued searching for those who were missing.

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じゅうみんたちはしゅうはんたいをものともせずにふるげきじょうぞんうんどうつづけた。

Undeterred by opposition around them, the residents continued their campaign to preserve the old theater.

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かれたびかさなるびょうをものともせずじゅうねんをかけてけんきゅうかんせいさせた。

Undaunted by repeated illness, he spent ten years bringing his research to completion.

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What the expression emphasizes

The focus is not simply that an obstacle was ignored. The obstacle is presented as strong enough to stop an ordinary person, while the subject's action shows that it failed to defeat them. This is why the expression often sounds heroic or admiring.

Resilience versus disregard for risk

をものともせず emphasizes that an obstacle did not defeat someone and usually sounds admiring. By contrast, かえりみず emphasizes acting without considering danger or consequences; depending on context, that can sound brave or reckless.

しゃけんかえりみずふんそうたいはいった。

The reporter entered the conflict zone without regard for personal safety.

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This sentence foregrounds the risk that was disregarded rather than the subject's resilience against an obstacle.

More examples

しょうぼうたちはばくはつけんをものともせずたてものとつにゅうした。

Undeterred by the risk of an explosion, the firefighters rushed into the building.

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調ちょうたいきびしいあつをものともせずばくでのかんそくつづけた。

The research team continued its observations in the desert, undeterred by the extreme heat.

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かのじょたびかさなるはんをものともせずかいかくひつようせいうったつづけた。

Undeterred by repeated criticism, she continued arguing for the need for reform.

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せんしゅあしいたをものともせずにえんちょうせんたたかいた。

Undaunted by the pain in his leg, the player fought through the entire overtime period.

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けんきゅうチームはきんそくをものともせずさくかんせいさせた。

Despite a severe lack of funding, the research team completed the prototype.

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ちいさなしゅっぱんしゃおおあつりょくをものともせず、その調ちょうほうどうした。

Undeterred by pressure from major industry players, the small publisher released the investigative report.

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