Structure
Noun + は + ともかく(として)
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Standard
使用域
一般
About はともかく
はともかく is an expression which makes use of the adverbial-particle は, and the adverb 兎も角 meaning 'to set aside', or 'at any rate'. This structure will be used when the speaker wants to change the topic from (A) to (B), or mention (B) as being something additional on top of (A).
はともかく is primarily seen following nouns in their dictionary forms. In many cases, this will be when (A) is something that the speaker thinks is not worth considering, or not worth making an issue out of when (B) is more important.
はともかく is primarily seen following nouns in their dictionary forms. In many cases, this will be when (A) is something that the speaker thinks is not worth considering, or not worth making an issue out of when (B) is more important.
- この料理の見た目はともかく、味はとてもいい。Apart from the appearance of this dish, it is very delicious.
- 家賃が高いか安いかはともかく、東京駅の近くに住みたい。Setting aside whether the rent is expensive or cheap, I want to live near Tokyo station.
- 給料はともかく、やりがいのある仕事がしたい。Setting aside the pay, I want a worthwhile job.
Fun-fact - The adverb 兎も角 is thought to have come from the Buddhist expression 兎角亀毛, meaning 'horns on rabbits, fur on turtles', referring to things that do not exist. Although this particular meaning is not widely accepted as being strongly related to the modern meaning of 兎も角, some relation can be drawn between it and English phrases such as '(A) is neither here nor there' in reference to something that is non-existent, or of little importance.
- 美人か美人じゃないかはともかく、優しくて料理が上手な人と結婚をしたい。I want to marry someone who is kind and a good cook, whether she is beautiful or not is neither here nor there.
Synonyms
Examples
このスマホの形はともかく、性能は一線級だと思ってる。
Apart from the shape of this smartphone, I think its performance is top-notch.
日本語能力試験に合格したかはともかく、過去半年間にたくさんのことを学んだ。
Setting aside whether I passed the JLPT or not, I have learned a lot over the last six months.
冗談はともかく、そろそろビジネスの話だ。
All jokes aside, let's get down to business.
この実験、方法はともかくとして、結果は予想外に素晴らしい。
This experiment, setting methods aside, has unexpectedly amazing results.
怒られた妻:「どうしてこんな夜遅くに帰ってきたの?それはともかく、あなたの服、どこなの?」
An angered wife: 'Why are you coming home so late? Apart from that, your clothes, where are they?'
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はともかく(として) VS はさておき
Nihongoの森
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完全マスター N2
Page 53-4
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はともかく – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (4 in total)
mathijsdm
Yeah, I don’t really know how it comes either, but it’s probably this video if you’re still looking for it :
Copying the title from BunPro in youtube seems to give the video, but the links don’t seem to work
matt_in_mito
Why is this incorrect? If it’s not, please can we get a “can you say it a different way?” or something? Cheers
mrnoone
Yo @matt_in_mito !
It is completely natural!
I have added it as an alternative answer.
Cheers
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