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.
Describing someone who is not afraid and acts courageously.
Literally 'does not know fear'. A common phrase for someone who is fearless and bold.
彼は恐れを知らない冒険家だ。
He is an undaunted adventurer.
A four-character compound meaning 'bold and fearless'. Often used in formal or literary contexts.
彼の大胆不敵な行動に皆が驚いた。
Everyone was surprised by his undaunted actions.
Literally 'not knowing scary things'. Implies a reckless or naive fearlessness, sometimes with a negative nuance.
あの子は怖いもの知らずで、高い所にも平気で登る。
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.
何度失敗しても彼はくじけない。
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.
彼はどんな困難にもへこたれない。
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.
彼は幾度の失敗にも挫けなかった。
He remained undaunted through repeated failures.
Describing someone who stays composed and resolute in a tense situation.
Means 'unperturbed' or 'unfazed'. Emphasizes calmness under pressure.
彼は脅迫にも動じなかった。
He was undaunted by the threats.
Means 'not timid' or 'not easily intimidated'. Often used for social situations.
彼女は初対面の人にも物怖じしない。
She is undaunted even by strangers.
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.
彼は失敗にくじけない。
He is undaunted by failure. (neutral)
彼は失敗にへこたれない。
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.
彼女は批判にもくじけなかった。
She remained undaunted by the criticism.
恐れを知らずに、彼は旅を続けた。
Undaunted, he continued his journey.
I admire his undaunted spirit.
A four-character compound meaning 'having presence of mind' or 'imperturbable'. Very formal and literary.
危機の中でも彼は泰然自若としていた。
He remained undaunted even in the crisis.