GRAMMAR DETAIL
〜はともかく
Sets one topic aside without judging it for the moment and shifts attention to a more important matter.
Examples
費用はともかく、安全性を最優先に考えよう。
Setting cost aside, let us make safety our highest priority.
Words used
理由はともかく、まず謝ろう。
Setting the reasons aside, let us apologize first.
Words used
結果はともかく、最後まで努力したことは評価したい。
Regardless of the result, I want to recognize the effort made through to the end.
Words used
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
はともかくsets aside judgment of the first topic for the moment and shifts focus to another aspect. - Basic usage:
結果はともかく、最後まで努力したことは評価したい。sets the quality of the result aside to recognize the effort itself.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- Deferring judgment versus judging negatively
味はともかく、量は多いsets taste aside and discusses quantity.味は悪いが、量は多いexplicitly judges the taste poor, so do not automatically turnはともかくinto a negative evaluation.