〜はともかく(として)
wa tomokaku (to shite)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
setting aside, leaving aside, regardless of
〜はともかく(として) means "leaving X aside for now": the speaker acknowledges X is a possible issue but wants to focus on the more important Y. 味はともかく、見た目はきれいだ (taste aside, it looks nice). The implication is often that X is questionable while Y is fine, or that X is not the point.
Both speech and writing, neutral register. Very common in conversation for steering the topic. 〜はともかくとして is a slightly more careful form. Set phrases: それはともかく (anyway), 冗談はともかく (joking aside).
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Noun + はともかく(として)Question clause + かはともかく (行くかどうかはともかく)Sentence-initial: それはともかく (anyway, leaving that aside)Second clause: the more important point, often with は for contrast
Visual diagram
| Aspect | 〜はともかく | 〜は抜きにして | 〜はさておき |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core idea | set aside X (possibly a problem) to focus on Y | remove X from the conversation | put X aside (formal, literary) |
| Implication | X may be doubtful; Y matters more | X is unwanted for now | X will be dealt with later |
| Register | neutral | neutral, conversational | written, somewhat old-fashioned |
Natural examples
味はともかく、見た目はきれいだ。
あじはともかく、みためはきれいだ。
Taste aside, it looks nice.
Taste is questionable; appearance is praised.
結果はともかくとして、よく頑張った。
けっかはともかくとして、よくがんばった。
Whatever the result, you did your best.
Result aside, effort is praised: consolation.
冗談はともかく、本題に入りましょう。
じょうだんはともかく、ほんだいにはいりましょう。
Joking aside, let's get to the main topic.
冗談はともかく: joking aside, a set phrase.
値段はともかく、このデザインは気に入った。
ねだんはともかく、このデザインはきにいった。
Price aside, I like this design.
X (price) may be a problem; Y (design) is the point.
それはともかく、今日の予定を確認しよう。
それはともかく、きょうのよていをかくにんしよう。
Anyway, let's check today's schedule.
Sentence-initial set phrase to change the subject.
Similar grammar and the difference
"Leaving X out": removes X from the discussion rather than acknowledging it as secondary. Compare side by side
〜はさておき
Same idea, more literary or formal.
"Regardless of": a rule that ignores a variable; not a topic-steering device. Compare side by side
Opposite structure: X is taken for granted and Y is added. Compare side by side
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 味がともかく、見た目はきれいだ。
- ✓
- 味はともかく、見た目はきれいだ。
- Why
- The particle is は, marking X as the topic being set aside.
- ✗
- 彼はともかく行った。(intending 'anyway he went')
- ✓
- 彼はとにかく行った。
- Why
- とにかく (anyway, at any rate) is an adverb; ともかく in this pattern needs a topic before it.
- ✗
- 結果はともかくとして、結果がよかった。
- ✓
- 結果はともかくとして、よく頑張った。
- Why
- Y should be something other than X; setting X aside and then discussing X is contradictory.
Often the second clause has は for contrast: 味はともかく、値段は… それはともかく / 冗談はともかく / 何はともかく are common openers. Adding として makes it slightly more deliberate and formal.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- If the sentence contrasts two aspects and the first is dismissed as less important, はともかく is the answer.
- Set phrases それはともかく and 冗談はともかく appear in listening; they signal a topic change.
- Distractors include はもちろん (added, not set aside) and にかかわらず (rule).
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜はともかく(として) mean?
setting aside, leaving aside, regardless of. 〜はともかく(として) means "leaving X aside for now": the speaker acknowledges X is a possible issue but wants to focus on the more important Y. 味はともかく、見た目はきれいだ (taste aside, it looks nice). The implication is often that X is questionable while Y is fine, or that X is not the point.
How do you form 〜はともかく(として)?
Noun + はともかく(として) / Question clause + かはともかく (行くかどうかはともかく) / Sentence-initial: それはともかく (anyway, leaving that aside) / Second clause: the more important point, often with は for contrast. V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜はともかく(として) used?
Both speech and writing, neutral register. Very common in conversation for steering the topic. 〜はともかくとして is a slightly more careful form. Set phrases: それはともかく (anyway), 冗談はともかく (joking aside).
What is the difference between 〜はともかく(として) and 〜は抜きにして?
"Leaving X out": removes X from the discussion rather than acknowledging it as secondary.
What is the difference between 〜はともかく(として) and 〜はさておき?
Same idea, more literary or formal.
What is a common mistake with 〜はともかく(として)?
Wrong: 味がともかく、見た目はきれいだ。 Right: 味はともかく、見た目はきれいだ。 The particle is は, marking X as the topic being set aside.
Quick check
性能（ ）、このパソコンはデザインがいい。