connective N2 common casualpolitewritten
〜はともかく — setting ~ aside
〜はともかく ・ はともかく
Meaning
- setting ~ aside / leaving ~ for now / never mind ~ — drops one matter to focus on the more pressing one that follows
Key sentence
値段はともかく、デザインが気に入らない。
Price aside, I don't like the design.
Formation
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun + は + ともかく(として) | Nはともかく(として)、[the point to focus on] | 結果はともかく、よく頑張った |
Examples
勝ち負けはともかく、全力を尽くそう。
Win or lose aside, let's give it everything.
平日はともかく、週末はとても混む。
Weekdays aside, the weekends get really crowded.
When you can't use it
- Marks the は-topic as something to deprioritise or postpone judgement on; the SECOND clause carries the real point. The set-aside item often carries a faint negative or uncertain shade.
Easily confused with
Notes
- It can also contrast two qualities directly: 顔はともかく性格はいい ('looks aside, the personality is good') — set aside A, and B is what really counts.
See 〜はともかく in real sentences
Jengo shows 〜はともかく the way you actually meet it: inside real Japanese sentences, so it sticks instead of staying an abstract rule.
Study it in JengoSources Compiled from published Japanese grammar references.