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をものともせず — “undaunted by, without being deterred by”

JLPT N1 Emphasis & Exclusivity

Says someone pushed forward despite an obstacle that would normally stop people

Noun + をものともせず describes someone facing a real obstacle — danger, criticism, hardship — and continuing on completely undeterred, as if it were nothing — “without letting X stop them.” It's admiring in tone, usually describing determination or courage.

How to form it

PatternExample
Noun + をものともせず周囲の反対をものともせず、夢を追い続けた — Undaunted by everyone's opposition, she kept chasing her dream

Example sentences

JapaneseReadingMeaning
かれはけがをものともせず、しあいにしゅつじょうした。
karehakegawomonotomosezu、shiainishutsujoushita。
Undeterred by his injury, he competed in the match.
あくてんこうをものともせず、とざんをつづけた。
akutenkouwomonotomosezu、tozanwotsuzuketa。
Undaunted by the bad weather, they kept climbing.
かのじょはひはんをものともせず、じぶんのしんじるみちをすすんだ。
kanojohahihanwomonotomosezu、jibunnoshinjirumichiwosusunda。
Undeterred by criticism, she pursued the path she believed in.

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Watch out

をものともせず needs a genuine obstacle being brushed aside — for someone succeeding where there was no real obstacle at all, the phrase doesn't fit; it always implies overcoming real adversity.

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