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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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?
をものともせずに appears in JLPT N1 grammar lists and reading sections.
- Recognize it in formal reading passages (news, essays)
- Understand the high-register, admiring nuance
- Distinguish it from にもかかわらず and をよそに in multiple-choice questions
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
Learning path for をものともせずに
To internalize this dramatic phrase, follow these steps:
Related grammar to review next
- を踏まえて — formal “based on / in light of”; also appears in analytical or business contexts
- を経て — “passing through”; used for processes and time, similar in literary tone
- を控えて — “with ~ approaching / in the background”; another formal adverbial with を
- をいいことに — “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:
FAQ about をものともせずに
What does をものともせずに (o mono tomo sezuni) mean in Japanese?
をものともせずに (o mono tomo sezuni) means “in defiance of; not losing to / afraid / worrying about”. It is JLPT N1 grammar. 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.
How do you form をものともせずに (o mono tomo sezuni)?
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.
What is the difference between をものともせずに and にもかかわらず?
をものともせずに: active courage, admiration. にもかかわらず: neutral contrast, factual.
What is an example sentence with をものともせずに (o mono tomo sezuni)?
彼は周囲の批判をものともせずに、自分の信念を貫いた。 — He stuck to his convictions, undeterred by the criticism around him.