# をものともせずに: in defiance of; not losing to / afraid / worrying about ~ > Learn how to use をものともせずに, a JLPT N1 Japanese phrase meaning 'in defiance of'—bravely pushing through obstacles without fear or hesitation. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-o-mono-tomo-sezuni/ **をものともせずに** means **in defiance of; not losing to / afraid / worrying about ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to describe someone who remains undaunted by a significant obstacle and acts boldly, without fear or hesitation. This phrase often appears in formal writing, news reports, and dramatic narratives. If you want to convey that someone courageously ignores a difficulty and pushes forward, **をものともせずに** adds a layer of heroic or determined nuance that simpler expressions lack.
Treat をものともせずに as a fixed adverbial phrase—it always modifies an action verb and carries a strong, admiring tone.
## What does をものともせずに mean? Use **をものともせずに** when you want to describe a person who confronts a serious obstacle—danger, hardship, criticism, bad weather—and acts without being overcome by it. Natural translations include: - in defiance of; undaunted by; not worrying about; without being daunted by The phrase emphasizes courage and determination. It is not a casual “despite” (like のに or ても), but a vivid description of someone bravely facing a formidable challenge. ## How to form をものともせずに
Noun (obstacle) + を ものともせずに → action verb
The phrase is a single frozen adverbial form. It attaches directly to a noun describing the obstacle, always with the particle を. The に at the end links it to a following verb phrase.
困難(こんなん) + を + ものともせずに + 前進(ぜんしん)した
No conjugation or form changes occur; ものをものともせずに is always used exactly as written. ## When is をものともせずに used? Use **をものともせずに** in situations like: - Describing someone who faces physical danger (storms, disasters, enemy fire) without backing down - Praising a person who ignores harsh criticism or social pressure to pursue their goal - Narrating a story or reporting an event where a protagonist shows exceptional bravery - Writing formal or literary Japanese where a dramatic, admiring tone fits Tone and register: - Formal, literary, and slightly dramatic; common in news articles, biographies, and speeches - Not used in casual conversation; too stiff for everyday chit-chat ## をものともせずに example sentences
彼(かれ)は周囲しゅういの批判ひはんをものともせずに、自分じぶんの信念しんねんを貫つらぬいた。
He stuck to his convictions, undeterred by the criticism around him.
social pressuredetermination
選手せんしゅは膝ひざの痛いたみをものともせずに、最後さいごまで走はしり抜ぬいた。
The athlete ran to the finish, defying the pain in his knee.
physical painsports
救助隊きゅうじょたいは悪天候あくてんこうをものともせずに、被災地ひさいちへ向むかった。
The rescue team headed to the disaster area, undaunted by the severe weather.
weatherheroism
彼女かのじょは失敗しっぱいの恐怖きょうふをものともせずに、新あたらしい事業じぎょうに挑戦ちょうせんした。
She took on the new venture, defying the fear of failure.
fearentrepreneurship
兵士へいしたちは敵てきの猛攻もうこうをものともせずに戦たたかい続つづけた。
The soldiers kept fighting, unfazed by the enemy's fierce assault.
battlecourage
若者わかものは周囲まわりの反対はんたいをものともせずに、一人ひとりで海外かいがいへ渡わたった。
The young person went overseas alone, undeterred by everyone's objections.
oppositionindependence
After reading each sentence, notice the job をものともせずに is doing: it turns a noun (the obstacle) into a circumstance that the subject bravely ignores. That context-driven nuance sticks better than a one-to-one English word. ## Nuance of をものともせずに The key nuance is **heroic disregard for a daunting obstacle**. This phrase doesn't just say “despite”; it paints a picture of a person whose will is stronger than the challenge. - The “obstacle” noun is typically something weighty: danger, criticism, pain, a natural disaster. You wouldn't use it for minor inconveniences (like forgetting an umbrella). - It almost always implies admiration or respect for the subject. Using it to describe your own trivial actions can sound boastful. - The action that follows is an active, positive movement forward—charging ahead, persevering, achieving. - In formality, it shares ground with をよそに, but をものともせずに highlights active courage, while をよそに can imply indifference or neglect.
💡
Don't use をものともせずに for passive situations or where the subject is actually unaffected in a neutral sense. It’s for deliberate, bold action that overcomes resistance.
## をものともせずに vs にもかかわらず Both **をものともせずに** and **にもかかわらず** can be translated as “despite” or “in spite of,” but they differ in tone and focus.
をものともせずに
active courage, admiration
Used when a person consciously confronts a threat or hardship and acts bravely. Carries a dramatic or heroic nuance.
大雨おおあめをものともせずに、彼(かれ)は走はしり出だした。
He dashed out, defying the heavy rain.
vs
にもかかわらず
neutral contrast, factual
A neutral connector meaning “despite the fact that.” It simply contrasts expectation with reality; no hint of bravery.
大雨おおあめであるにもかかわらず、試合しあいは開催かいさいされた。
The match was held despite the heavy rain.
If the sentence is about a heroic act, をものともせずに fits. If it's a mere factual contrast, にもかかわらず is better. ## Common mistakes with をものともせずに
❌
彼(かれ)は寝不足ねぶそくをものともせずに、朝あさまでゲームをした。
寝不足(ねふそく) is too trivial; をものともせずに is for grand obstacles.
✅
彼(かれ)は寝不足ねぶそくにもかかわらず、朝あさまで仕事しごとを続つづけた。
❌
事故じこの影響えいきょうをものともせずに、電車でんしゃは遅おくれた。
The subject is an inanimate train; the phrase needs a person showing courage.
✅
事故じこにもかかわらず、運転士うんてんしは冷静れいせいさをものともせずに（いや、ここは不自然(ふしぜん)なので…）
✅
運転士うんてんしは負傷ふしょうをものともせずに、乗客じょうきゃくを避難ひなんさせた。
A good self-check: can you replace the obstacle with “fierce enemy fire” or “a typhoon” and the sentence still makes sense? If not, the obstacle may be too small. ## Is をものともせずに on the JLPT?
N1

をものともせずに appears in JLPT N1 grammar lists and reading sections.

For test preparation, focus on the noun types that pair with the phrase and the action-verb that follows. The N1 often tests whether you can identify the appropriate register. ## Practice questions for をものともせずに
1
Write a sentence about a scientist who continues research despite public criticism. Use をものともせずに.
2
Rewrite “彼(かれ)は怪我(けが)にもかかわらず試合(しあい)に出(で)た” using をものともせずに and note how the nuance changes.
compare
3
Create a dialogue (two lines) where one character uses this phrase to praise another.
register
4
Choose an obstacle noun (e.g., 反対(はんたい), 寒(さむ)さ, 危険(きけん)) and add an appropriate action verb to make a complete sentence.
## Learning path for をものともせずに To internalize this dramatic phrase, follow these steps:
1
Memorize the whole chunk をものともせずに as a fixed adverbial; drill it with heavy nouns like 危険きけん, 非難ひなん, 困難こんなん.
2
Contrast it with にもかかわらず. Write two versions of the same event—one heroic, one factual—to feel the register difference.
3
Find real-world examples in Japanese news articles about rescue workers or athletes. Read them aloud to absorb the formal rhythm.
4
Compose a short narrative (3-4 sentences) about a fictional hero, using をものともせずに together with another N1 formal pattern like を踏まえ(ふまえ)て.
## Related grammar to review next - [を踏まえ(ふまえ)て](/blog/n1-o-fumaete/) — formal “based on / in light of”; also appears in analytical or business contexts - [を経(へ)て](/blog/n1-o-hete/) — “passing through”; used for processes and time, similar in literary tone - [を控え(ひかえ)て](/blog/n1-o-hikaete/) — “with ~ approaching / in the background”; another formal adverbial with を - [をいいことに](/blog/n1-o-ii-koto-ni/) — “taking advantage of”; shares the “を + phrase + adverbial” structure, but with a negative nuance ## Learn をものともせずに with Hane If you want to fix **をものともせずに** firmly in your active memory alongside other formal N1 patterns, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions that adapt to your level. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)