Welcome to our Japanese grammar series! Today we’re exploring the useful expression ~はさておき (ha sate oki), an intermediate to advanced grammar pattern that helps you organize your thoughts by temporarily setting aside one topic before addressing another.
What is ~はさておき?
~はさておき can be translated as “putting aside,” “leaving aside,” “setting aside,” or “as for… let’s set that aside for now.” This expression is used when you want to temporarily suspend discussion of one topic to focus on another, with the implication that you might return to the first topic later.
This grammar pattern is particularly useful when you need to prioritize information or when you want to acknowledge a topic but indicate that it’s not your immediate focus.
Basic Structure
Noun + はさておき
Noun + のことはさておき (more emphatic)
Clause + ことはさておき
After ~はさておき, the speaker continues with the main topic they want to focus on.
Detailed Explanation
1. Etymology and Composition
The expression ~はさておき breaks down as follows:
- は: The topic marker particle
- さて: An interjection meaning “well” or “now” that signals a shift in topic or attention
- おき: Derived from the verb 置く (oku – to put/place), in its conjunctive form
Combined, these elements create an expression that literally means “well, placing [the topic] aside,” which conveys the idea of temporarily setting something aside to address something else.
2. Usage Patterns
There are three main ways to use ~はさておき:
A. With a Simple Noun
When used with a simple noun, はさておき follows directly after the noun that is being set aside.
B. With a Noun + の + こと
Adding のこと after the noun creates a slightly more emphatic form that clearly marks the entire topic as being set aside.
C. With a Clause + こと
When setting aside an entire action or situation, the clause is followed by こと and then はさておき.
3. Nuance and Register
~はさておき has a somewhat formal or literary tone. It’s commonly used in:
- Written Japanese (essays, articles, reports)
- Formal speeches or presentations
- Business discussions
- Academic contexts
- News reporting
In casual conversation, expressions like とりあえず (for now) or ~はおいといて (setting ~ aside) might be more common.
Examples with Detailed Breakdowns
Example 1: With a Simple Noun
冗談はさておき、本題に入りましょう。
Jōdan wa sate oki, hontsui ni hairimashō.
Jokes aside, let’s get to the main topic.
Breakdown: In this example, 冗談 (jōdan – joke) is the noun that はさておき follows. The speaker indicates they’re done with joking around and wants to move on to the serious discussion. The focus shifts from the lighthearted jokes to the main topic at hand.
Example 2: With Noun + のこと
彼の遅刻のことはさておき、会議を始めましょう。
Kare no chikoku no koto wa sate oki, kaigi o hajimemashō.
Putting aside the matter of his lateness, let’s start the meeting.
Breakdown: Here, 彼の遅刻のこと (kare no chikoku no koto – the matter of his lateness) is followed by はさておき. The のこと makes it clear that the entire situation regarding his lateness is being set aside. The speaker wants to proceed with the meeting rather than discussing why someone is late.
Example 3: With Clause + こと
彼が試験に落ちたことはさておき、彼の努力は称賛に値する。
Kare ga shiken ni ochita koto wa sate oki, kare no doryoku wa shōsan ni atai suru.
Setting aside the fact that he failed the exam, his effort is worthy of praise.
Breakdown: The clause 彼が試験に落ちた (kare ga shiken ni ochita – he failed the exam) is followed by こと and then はさておき. The speaker acknowledges the failure but wants to focus on praising the effort rather than dwelling on the negative result.
More Practical Examples
価格はさておき、この製品の品質は素晴らしい。
Kakaku wa sate oki, kono seihin no hinshitsu wa subarashii.
Setting aside the price, the quality of this product is excellent.
政治的な意見はさておき、彼は優れた教師だ。
Seijiteki na iken wa sate oki, kare wa sugureta kyōshi da.
Political opinions aside, he is an excellent teacher.
彼女が遅れたことはさておき、プレゼンテーションは成功だった。
Kanojo ga okureta koto wa sate oki, purezentēshon wa seikō datta.
Putting aside the fact that she was late, the presentation was a success.
天気のことはさておき、予定通り行きましょう。
Tenki no koto wa sate oki, yotei-dōri ikimashō.
Leaving aside the weather, let’s go as planned.
私の個人的な感情はさておき、これは客観的に良い決断だと思います。
Watashi no kojinteki na kanjō wa sate oki, kore wa kyakkanteki ni yoi ketsudan da to omoimasu.
Setting my personal feelings aside, I think this is objectively a good decision.
Comparing ~はさておき with Similar Expressions
To master ~はさておき, it’s helpful to understand how it differs from similar expressions:
| Expression | Meaning | Nuance | Formality |
|---|---|---|---|
| ~はさておき | Putting aside/Leaving aside | Temporarily suspends a topic, may return to it later | Formal/Literary |
| ~はともあれ | Whatever the case may be | Acknowledges but moves past information, less likely to return to it | Formal/Literary |
| ~はおいといて | Setting aside | More casual version of はさておき | Casual |
| とりあえず | For now/For the time being | Indicates a temporary measure or focus | Neutral |
| ~はべつとして | Apart from/Regardless of | Separates one topic completely from another | Formal |
Comparison Examples:
金銭的な問題はさておき、私はこの留学プログラムに参加したい。
Kinsenteki na mondai wa sate oki, watashi wa kono ryūgaku puroguramu ni sanka shitai.
Putting financial issues aside, I want to participate in this study abroad program.
(Temporarily sets aside financial concerns, may address them later)
金銭的な問題はともあれ、私はこの留学プログラムに参加したい。
Kinsenteki na mondai wa tomoare, watashi wa kono ryūgaku puroguramu ni sanka shitai.
Whatever the financial issues may be, I want to participate in this study abroad program.
(Acknowledges financial issues but suggests they won’t affect the decision)
金銭的な問題はおいといて、私はこの留学プログラムに参加したい。
Kinsenteki na mondai wa oitoite, watashi wa kono ryūgaku puroguramu ni sanka shitai.
Setting financial issues aside, I want to participate in this study abroad program.
(More casual way of saying the same thing as はさておき)
Practice Exercises
Let’s test your understanding of ~はさておき with these exercises:
Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences
Complete the following sentences using ~はさておき with the given words:
- 費用（ ）、この計画は良いアイデアだと思います。
(Setting aside the cost, I think this plan is a good idea.) - 彼の失敗（ ）、チーム全体の成果は評価すべきだ。
(Putting aside his failure, the team’s overall achievement should be appreciated.) - 細かい詳細のこと（ ）、プロジェクトの大枠に集中しましょう。
(Setting aside the minor details, let’s focus on the project’s overall framework.) - 彼女が遅れたこと（ ）、発表はとても良かった。
(Setting aside the fact that she was late, the presentation was very good.) - 私の個人的な意見（ ）、これが会社の方針です。
(Setting aside my personal opinion, this is the company policy.)
Exercise 2: Translation
Translate these sentences into Japanese using ~はさておき:
- Setting aside the question of money, do you really want to go there?
- Putting aside our differences, we need to work together on this project.
- Setting aside the fact that I don’t speak French well, I’d love to visit Paris.
- Leaving aside his attitude, his work performance is excellent.
- Putting aside the rain, it was a wonderful trip.
Exercise 3: Identify the Correct Usage
Choose the sentence where ~はさておき is used correctly and appropriately:
- A: 彼はさておき、このことについて話しましょう。 B: 彼のことはさておき、このことについて話しましょう。
- A: 問題はさておきました、次に進みましょう。 B: 問題はさておき、次に進みましょう。
- A: さておき彼女の意見、私たちは自分の決断をするべきだ。 B: 彼女の意見はさておき、私たちは自分の決断をするべきだ。
- A: 雨が降っていることはさておき、ピクニックに行きましょう。 B: 雨はさておき降っている、ピクニックに行きましょう。
- A: 冗談はさておき言うと、これは深刻な問題です。 B: 冗談はさておき、これは深刻な問題です。
Answer Key
Exercise 1: Complete the Sentences
- 費用はさておき、この計画は良いアイデアだと思います。
- 彼の失敗はさておき、チーム全体の成果は評価すべきだ。
- 細かい詳細のことはさておき、プロジェクトの大枠に集中しましょう。
- 彼女が遅れたことはさておき、発表はとても良かった。
- 私の個人的な意見はさておき、これが会社の方針です。
Exercise 2: Translation
- お金の問題はさておき、あなたは本当にそこに行きたいですか？
Okane no mondai wa sate oki, anata wa hontō ni soko ni ikitai desu ka? - 私たちの意見の相違はさておき、このプロジェクトで協力する必要があります。
Watashitachi no iken no sōi wa sate oki, kono purojekuto de kyōryoku suru hitsuyō ga arimasu. - フランス語が上手に話せないことはさておき、パリを訪れたいです。
Furansugo ga jōzu ni hanasenai koto wa sate oki, Pari o otozuretai desu. - 彼の態度はさておき、彼の仕事のパフォーマンスは優れています。
Kare no taido wa sate oki, kare no shigoto no pafōmansu wa sugurete imasu. - 雨はさておき、素晴らしい旅行でした。
Ame wa sate oki, subarashii ryokō deshita.
Exercise 3: Identify the Correct Usage
- B: 彼のことはさておき、このことについて話しましょう。
- B: 問題はさておき、次に進みましょう。
- B: 彼女の意見はさておき、私たちは自分の決断をするべきだ。
- A: 雨が降っていることはさておき、ピクニックに行きましょう。
- B: 冗談はさておき、これは深刻な問題です。
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect word order: Always place はさておき immediately after the topic being set aside, not before it.
- Conjugating さておき: The expression はさておき is fixed and should not be conjugated (e.g., さておきました is incorrect).
- Using with inappropriate topics: はさておき is typically used with topics that are relevant but not the immediate focus, not with completely unrelated topics.
- Not completing the thought: Always include what you’re focusing on after using はさておき; don’t leave the sentence hanging.
- Overuse in casual conversation: Due to its formal nature, overusing はさておき in casual settings can sound unnatural.
When to Use ~はさておき
This expression is particularly useful in these situations:
- When you need to acknowledge a topic but want to focus on something else first
- When prioritizing information in a discussion or presentation
- When transitioning from a secondary topic to the main point
- In formal writing or speeches when organizing thoughts
- When you want to temporarily suspend discussion of a controversial or complicated topic
- When comparing different aspects of something but focusing on one particular aspect
Cultural Notes: The Art of Setting Topics Aside
In Japanese communication culture, expressions like ~はさておき reflect the importance of topic management and consideration for how information is presented. The ability to acknowledge certain topics while temporarily setting them aside is considered a sophisticated communication skill in Japanese.
This expression also connects to the Japanese concept of 建前 (tatemae) and 本音 (honne) – the distinction between what is expressed publicly and what is really thought. By using はさておき, speakers can acknowledge potentially difficult topics without directly confronting them, maintaining harmony while still progressing the conversation.
Conclusion
The grammar pattern ~はさておき is a valuable tool in Japanese that helps speakers organize their thoughts by temporarily setting aside certain topics to focus on others. It’s especially useful in formal or written Japanese when you need to acknowledge something but want to direct attention elsewhere.
While it shares similarities with other transitional expressions like ~はともあれ or ~はおいといて, はさておき has its own unique nuance of temporarily suspending a topic with the possibility of returning to it later.
As you practice using this expression, pay attention to the context and formality level to ensure you’re using it appropriately. With regular practice, you’ll be able to incorporate ~はさておき naturally into your intermediate to advanced Japanese communication!
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