～をものともせず

• Reading: をものともせず
• Romaji: o mono to mo sezu
• Formation: Noun + をものともせず + Predicate

Meaning

A phrase meaning 'in spite of' or 'undaunted by.' It indicates that someone does something bravely or fearlessly despite unfavorable conditions or adversity.

をものともせず expresses that someone boldly proceeds with an action without being deterred by obstacles, difficulties, or dangers. The word もの here refers to the obstacle or adversity itself, and ともせず means 'without even considering it an issue.' This pattern is quite literary and dramatic, often used in narrative prose, biographical writing, and news reports praising courageous behavior. It differs from にもかかわらず, which is a more neutral 'despite,' whereas をものともせず carries a heroic or admirable connotation. The obstacles mentioned are typically serious — physical danger, social pressure, severe weather, or illness.

Examples

1. 選手たちは猛暑をものともせず練習に励んだ。 The athletes trained hard, undaunted by the intense heat.
2. 彼女は周囲の反対をものともせず起業を決意した。 She resolved to start a business, undeterred by the opposition around her.
3. 救助隊は危険をものともせず被災地に向かった。 The rescue team headed to the disaster area, fearless in the face of danger.

Usage Guide

Context: written, literary, news

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 登山家は悪天候をものともせず山頂を目指した。
• 彼は度重なる失敗をものともせず挑戦を続けた。
• 消防士たちは炎をものともせず建物に突入した。

Don't Say

• 選手たちは猛暑にもかかわらず練習に励んだ。(Using にもかかわらず loses the heroic connotation that をものともせず conveys) → 選手たちは猛暑をものともせず練習に励んだ。
• 彼女は雨をものともせず買い物に行った。(Using をものともせず for a trivial situation like light rain — it sounds overly dramatic) → 彼女は雨が降っていたが買い物に行った。

Origin & History

Composed of を (object), もの (thing/obstacle), とも (even as), せず (negative of する). Literally 'without even treating it as something,' meaning one disregards adversity entirely.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal