# はさておき: setting aside ~ > Learn how to use はさておき, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning setting aside, with structure, nuance, examples, mistakes, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-wa-sateoki/ **はさておき** means **setting aside; leaving aside (for now)**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to temporarily park a topic or priority so you can focus on another matter without dismissing the original completely. This grammar point often appears in formal discussions, meetings, essays, and N1 reading passages. If you want to acknowledge a point but shift focus politely, **はさておき** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese. ## What does はさておき mean? Use **はさておき** when you want to set aside a topic, consideration, or issue temporarily in order to discuss or act on something else. It signals that the item is not being dismissed, only deferred. Natural translations include: - setting aside; leaving aside; putting aside for the moment; jokes aside (when paired with 冗談(じょうだん)) The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer's or speaker's purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context. ## How to form はさておき
Noun + はさておき
Examples of the pattern: - 冗談じょうだんはさておき - 見みた目めはさておき - 個人的こじんてきな意見いけんはさておき The form before the grammar point matters. In N1 questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word. ## When is はさておき used? Use **はさておき** in situations like: - moving a conversation from a tangent back to the main point - acknowledging a valid concern but postponing discussion - separating factual content from personal opinion in formal writing - opening a meeting or presentation by setting aside small talk Tone and register: - neutral to slightly formal; common in business, academia, and public speaking - appears frequently in N1 reading comprehension, especially argumentative essays and transcripts ## はさておき example sentences

冗談じょうだんはさておき、本題ほんだいに入はいりましょう。

Jokes aside, let's get to the main topic.

meeting

見みた目めはさておき、味あじはとてもいい。

Appearance aside, the taste is very good.

daily conversation

過去かこの失敗しっぱいはさておき、今後こんごどう改善かいぜんするか話はなし合あおう。

Past mistakes aside, let's discuss how to improve going forward.

business

個人的こじんてきな感想かんそうはさておき、客観的きゃっかんてきなデータに注目ちゅうもくしてください。

Personal impressions aside, please look at the objective data.

written

経歴けいれきはさておき、能力のうりょくで評価ひょうかします。

Resume aside, we'll evaluate based on ability.

HR/interview
After reading each sentence, ask what job **はさておき** is doing: it creates a pivot point, setting one item aside so another can be addressed. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of はさておき The key nuance is **temporarily setting aside with a purpose, not dismissing**. The speaker respects the existence of the topic but decides it's not the priority right now. This matters because learners often treat it like "ignore" or "forget about", but はさておき preserves the topic for later. For example: - In a meeting, 冗談(じょうだん)はさておき shows you appreciated the joke but need to move on. - 過去(かこ)の失敗(しっぱい)はさておき acknowledges the past without letting it dominate the future. - Compared with **無視(むし)する** (ignore), はさておき carries a cooperative tone. If you replace はさておき with a simple "X is not important" wording, you risk sounding dismissive or rude. ## はさておき vs はそっちのけで Both **はさておき** and **はそっちのけで** move something aside, but their attitudes differ sharply.

はさておき

temporarily sets aside, neutral or polite

You want to park a subject respectfully to focus on the present discussion.
冗談じょうだんはさておき、本題ほんだいに移うつります。
Jokes aside, let's move to the main issue.
vs

はそっちのけで

neglects something while absorbed in another activity

Someone is so engrossed in one thing they practically ignore a duty or obligation.
仕事しごとはそっちのけでゲームに夢中むちゅうだ。
Putting work aside, he's absorbed in games.
If both translations seem possible, check the intent. Is the action a respectful pause (はさておき) or an unhealthy neglect (はそっちのけで)? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural. For example, saying 社員(しゃいん)の安全(あんぜん)はそっちのけで利益(りえき)を追求(ついきゅう)した (pursued profit, neglecting employee safety) carries strong criticism — much heavier than a gentle はさておき would. ## Common mistakes with はさておき Watch out for these mistakes:
❌ 彼かれの意見いけんはさておき、無視むしした。

さておき already means setting aside; adding 無視(むし)した (ignored) is redundant and contradicts the polite deferral nuance.

✅ 彼かれの意見いけんはさておき、データで判断はんだんしよう。
❌ 疲つかれたはさておき、休やすもう。

You cannot attach はさておき to a verb or adjective. It only follows a noun.

✅ 疲つかれはさておき、少すこし休やすもう。
❌ 冗談じょうだんさておき、本題ほんだいに入はいろう。

The particle は is an integral part of the pattern; dropping it creates a non-standard form that sounds like a shortened version of さて置き(おき) (by the way, placed aside), which is different grammar.

✅ 冗談じょうだんはさておき、本題ほんだいに入はいろう。
A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **はさておき**, then rewrite it with **はそっちのけで**. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words. ## Is はさておき on the JLPT? Yes. **はさておき** is commonly taught as **JLPT N1** grammar.
N1

Appears in reading passages that involve debates, editorials, or formal reasoning. You may see it in listening sections with business or academic conversations.

✔ recognize its function of shifting focus
✔ distinguish its polite deference from dismissive patterns
✔ choose it in sentence-combination questions where nuance matters
That means learners should be able to: - identify it while reading at speed - understand why a speaker inserted it at a key pivot point - use it appropriately in written arguments For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. N1 questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning. ## Practice questions for はさておき Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
1 Write a sentence using はさておき to pivot from casual conversation to serious business. meeting opener
2 Compare はさておき and はそっちのけで by creating a pair of sentences that highlight their different attitudes.
3 In a formal email, set aside a minor point to focus on the main deadline. Use はさておき.
4 Your friend keeps complaining about the weather. Use はさておき to redirect to planning the picnic anyway. (Keep the tone friendly.)
Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for はさておき To learn **はさておき** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.
1
Master the simple structure: Noun + はさておき. Practice with common nouns like 冗談(じょうだん), 見(み)た目(め), 個人的(こじんてき)な意見(いけん) until you can produce it without hesitation.
2
Compare はさておき with はそっちのけで and はともかく. Write side-by-side examples to internalize the difference between a polite pivot and neglectful absorption.
3
Compose short monologues or email drafts where you set aside a topic, then return to it later with phrases like その点(てん)は後ほど(のちほど).
4
Read opinion pieces or transcripts of panel discussions. Highlight every instance of はさておき and note what exactly is being deferred and why.
5
Integrate はさておき with other N1 patterns like はおろか and はどうであれ to build layered arguments. This will prepare you for the most complex N1 writing tasks.
## Related grammar to review next - [はそっちのけで](/blog/n1-wa-socchinoke-de-o-socchinoke-de/) — because it also pushes something aside, but with a negative, neglectful shade - [はおろか](/blog/n1-wa-oroka/) — because it expresses "let alone; not to mention", a stronger way to set something aside in a comparison - [はどうであれ](/blog/n1-wa-dou-de-are/) — because it means "regardless of", setting aside a condition rather than a topic - [は](/blog/n1-wa/) — because the topic particle は itself has contrastive and contextual-setting functions that はさておき builds upon ## Learn はさておき with Hane If you want to review **はさておき** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions. Browse more lessons here: - [All grammar lessons](/blog/) - [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)