By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025
📘 Meaning & Usage
～はともかく is a Japanese grammar pattern used when you want to temporarily set aside or ignore one thing to focus on something else that is more important or relevant.
Translation: Leaving aside… / Setting aside… / Not to mention…
Form:
- Noun + はともかく
- [Noun1] はともかく [Noun2] は～ – Used to contrast two topics
💡 Example Sentences
- 味はともかく、見た目はきれいだ。
Setting aside the taste, the appearance is beautiful. - 結果はともかく、最後まで頑張ったことが大切だ。
Leaving aside the result, the important thing is that you tried your best until the end. - 行けるかどうかはともかく、行くつもりです。
Whether I can go or not is another story, but I intend to go. - 冗談はともかく、本当に考えてほしい。
Jokes aside, I really want you to think seriously about it. - 値段はともかく、デザインが気に入った。
Regardless of the price, I liked the design.
📝 Grammar Notes
- This expression is often used to emphasize that something is not the main point of discussion.
- Commonly used in conversation and writing to shift focus or make contrasts.
- Can be translated flexibly depending on context: “setting aside,” “regardless of,” or “leaving aside.”
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blanks
- 値段＿＿＿＿、品質が良ければ買います。
- 見た目＿＿＿＿、使いやすさが一番大事だ。
- 本気かどうか＿＿＿＿、話だけは聞いてみよう。
✔ Answers:
- はともかく
- はともかく
- はともかく
2. Translate into Japanese
- Leaving aside the details, please tell me the conclusion.
- Whether it’s good or bad doesn’t matter for now.
- Putting appearance aside, this dish is delicious.
✔ Sample Answers:
- 細かいことはともかく、結論を教えてください。
- 良いか悪いかはともかく、今は関係ない。
- 見た目はともかく、この料理は美味しい。
🔗 Related Grammar
- ～は別として: Aside from…
- ～にしても: Even if / Regardless of
- ～はさておき: Leaving aside / Setting aside (more formal)
🧠 Summary
- Meaning: Setting aside / Leaving aside / Not to mention
- Level: JLPT N2 / N1
- Form: Noun + はともかく
- Usage: To shift focus away from one aspect to emphasize another
35 Views
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.
