〜をものともせず (undaunted by / not deterred by)
N1 grammar pattern 〜をものともせず: expressing that someone is completely undaunted by a challenge, obstacle, or adverse circumstance and continues their action.
〜をものともせず
Formality Level: Semi-formal / Literary — formal writing, literary prose, journalistic praise
Classical Origin: ものともせず: もの (thing/matter — classical nominaliser) + とも (inclusive も with と) + せず (classical negative of する). Literally: "without making it a thing/matter" → treating a formidable obstacle as if it were nothing. The expression has a heroic, admiring quality — it praises the subject's courage or determination in the face of adversity.
Structure
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Noun + をものともせず | 困難をものともせず |
| Noun phrase + をものともせず | 反対意見をものともせず |
Meaning
"Undaunted by X / Not deterred by X / Treating X as nothing"
The subject faces X (which is formidable — a physical challenge, social opposition, danger, or hardship) and is not deterred. The tone is often admiring or heroic.
Example Sentences
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| 嵐をものともせず、漁師たちは出漁した。 | Undaunted by the storm, the fishermen set out to sea. |
| 逆境をものともせず、彼女は研究を続け、ついに大発見を遂げた。 | Undaunted by adversity, she continued her research and finally made a great discovery. |
| 年齢をものともせず、八十歳の登山家が難峰への挑戦を続けた。 | Undaunted by age, the eighty-year-old mountaineer continued to challenge difficult peaks. |
| 批判をものともせず、彼は信じる道を歩み続けた。 | Undaunted by criticism, he continued to walk the path he believed in. |
| 激しい痛みをものともせず、選手は試合を完走した。 | Undaunted by intense pain, the athlete ran the race to completion. |
Comparison with Related Patterns
| Pattern | Register | Meaning | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 〜をものともせず | Semi-formal/literary | Undaunted by X (heroic; treats obstacle as nothing) | Admiring tone; X is formidable; subject is heroic |
| 〜をよそに | Semi-formal | Oblivious to/ignoring X | Subject seems unaware or indifferent; not necessarily heroic |
| 〜にもかかわらず | Semi-formal | Despite X | Neutral; simply states that Y happened despite X; no heroic quality |
| 〜をものともしないで | Semi-formal | Not making X a concern | Variant form; same meaning |
When NOT to Use
- Do not use for trivial obstacles: The heroic/admiring tone of をものともせず requires X to be genuinely formidable. ❌ 小雨をものともせず散歩した. (Rain is too minor; use にもかかわらず)
- Do not use for intentional defiance of social norms without heroic framing: If the subject is simply being reckless or irresponsible, をよそに or 〜を無視して are more appropriate.