Translation guide
Describes a person who remains brave and determined despite difficulties or danger. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives, verbs, and set phrases that convey fearlessness, resilience, and an unshaken spirit.
He is an undaunted adventurer.
A four-character compound meaning 'bold and fearless'. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
Everyone was surprised by his undaunted actions.
Literally 'not knowing scary things'. Implies a reckless or naive fearlessness, sometimes with a negative nuance.
That kid is undaunted and climbs high places without a care.
Describing someone who remains determined and does not lose heart despite failure or opposition.
The negative form of くじける (to be discouraged). Means 'not discouraged' or 'unbroken'. Very common in everyday speech.
No matter how many times he fails, he remains undaunted.
Colloquial verb meaning 'not to be daunted' or 'not to give in'. Often used in casual contexts.
He is undaunted by any difficulty.
A noun meaning 'indomitable' or 'unyielding'. Often used in compounds like 不屈の精神 (indomitable spirit).
Kanji form of くじけない. Same meaning but more literary. The kana version is more common.
Describing someone who stays composed and resolute in a tense situation.
Both mean 'not discouraged', but くじけない is more standard and can be used in both spoken and written Japanese. へこたれない is more colloquial and often implies a stubborn, spirited refusal to give up.
He is undaunted by failure. (neutral)
He doesn't let failure get him down. (casual)
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'undaunted'. Translating it as 恐れない (not afraid) or 落ち込まない (not depressed) may miss the nuance of active courage or resilience. Choose the expression that best fits the context.
She remained undaunted by the criticism.
Undaunted, he continued his journey.
彼の不屈の精神には感服する。
I admire his undaunted spirit.
He remained undaunted through repeated failures.
She is undaunted even by strangers.
A four-character compound meaning 'having presence of mind' or 'imperturbable'. Very formal and literary.
He remained undaunted even in the crisis.