Leaving aside: 〜はともかく
N + はともかく（として） ; 〜かどうか + はともかく ; variant: はさておき
N + はともかく: “X aside, never mind X”. Putting a point in brackets to talk about the main thing; はさておき is the formal version; the opposite of はもとより.
In short
〜はともかく temporarily sets a point aside to talk about what matters right now: “X aside, never mind X…”. The point set aside isn't denied; you often hint that it's debatable or secondary. はさておき is a more formal variant. It's almost the opposite of はもとより, which includes the first element.
- 値段はともかく、デザインはとてもいい。ねだんはともかく、でざいんはとてもいい。Never mind the price — the design is really well done.
- 結果はともかく、最後までよく頑張った。けっかはともかく、さいごまでよくがんばった。Whatever the result, you fought hard right to the end.
- 冗談はさておき、本題に入りましょう。じょうだんはさておき、ほんだいにはいりましょう。Joking aside, let's get down to business.
The basics
ともかく, as an adverb, means “in any case, anyway”. Placed after a noun with は, it puts that noun in brackets: you acknowledge that it exists or raises questions, but choose not to discuss it now in order to get to the point.
Often the point set aside is a flaw or an open question (the price, the result, feasibility), and what follows highlights something more important or more positive.
Never mind the price — the design is really well done.
- noun
- grammatical form
- adjective
- 名前はともかく、この店のみそかつは本当においしい。なまえはともかく、このみせのみそかつはほんとうにおいしい。Never mind the name — the misokatsu at this place is really delicious.
How to form it
N + はともかく, or はともかくとして, a little more emphatic. With a question: 〜かどうかはともかく, 何を言うかはともかく. はさておき is more formal (speeches, writing); それはさておき, at the start of a sentence, changes the subject: “anyway, getting back to…”.
| Form | Example | Register |
|---|---|---|
| N + はともかく | 値段はともかく | neutral |
| N + はともかくとして | 結果はともかくとして | neutral, emphatic |
| 〜かどうかはともかく | 本当かどうかはともかく | neutral |
| N + はさておき | 冗談はさておき | formal |
| それはさておき | at the start of a sentence | to change the subject |
- 本当かどうかはともかくとして、おもしろい話だ。ほんとうかどうかはともかくとして、おもしろいはなしだ。True or not, it's an interesting story.
- それはさておき、来月の旅行の話をしよう。それはさておき、らいげつのりょこうのはなしをしよう。Anyway, let's leave that aside and talk about next month's trip.
The point set aside isn't rejected
はともかく doesn't say X is bad or wrong; it only says “that's not the issue for now”. What follows can even be negative: you set aside an acceptable point in order to criticise the main thing.
- 味はともかく、この値段は高すぎる。あじはともかく、このねだんはたかすぎる。Never mind the taste — this price is far too high.
Compare: はもとより, は別として
はもとより (N2) does the opposite: it includes the first element as obvious and adds a second one with も. は別として (N2) also sets a point aside, in a more neutral tone; it can also be used to exclude (“except”).
| Sentence | The first element is… |
|---|---|
| 品質はもとより、サービスもいい | included, obvious |
| 品質はともかく、サービスはいい | put in brackets |
| 品質は別として、サービスはいい | set aside (neutral) |
- この店は、品質はもとより、アフターサービスもいい。このみせは、ひんしつはもとより、あふたーさーびすもいい。At this shop, the quality is there, of course, and the after-sales service is good too.
Common mistakes
- Thinking you're rejecting or criticising X: はともかく only puts it in brackets.
- Confusing it with はもとより, which includes X (“X of course, and Y too”).
- Putting も after the second element (“×値段はともかく、デザインもいい”): after はともかく, you contrast with は.
7 exercises on this point
Particles to choose, sentences to put back in order, translations: marked straight away, then reviewed at the right time. This JLPT N2 point is on the Meitetsu Nagoya Line (Industry) of the Nagoya lines.