# はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで: ignoring (one thing) for (another); instead of ~ > Learn how to use はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで, a JLPT N1 Japanese grammar point meaning ignoring (one thing) for (another), with structure, examples, and comparisons. JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-wa-socchinoke-de-o-socchinoke-de/ **はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで** means **ignoring (one thing) for (another); instead of ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern that expresses that someone sets aside something that should be a priority in order to focus on something else, often with a critical or surprised tone. This grammar point often appears in essays, formal writing, conversations, and JLPT N1 reading passages. If you want to say that someone is so absorbed in one activity that they completely ignore another, **はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural precision to your Japanese. ## What does はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで mean? Use **はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで** when you want to express that a person or group is ignoring one thing in favor of another, especially when the ignored thing should take precedence. The speaker is often critical, surprised, or amused. Natural translations include: - ignoring … completely; setting aside …; instead of … 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 はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで

Noun + はそっちのけで
Noun + をそっちのけで

Both forms are grammatically identical; **はそっちのけで** tends to emphasize the contrast more strongly, while **をそっちのけで** is slightly more objective. The attached noun is the thing being ignored — the thing pushed to the side. Examples of the pattern: - 仕事(しごと)仕し事ごとはそっちのけで - 宿題(しゅくだい)宿しゅく題だいをそっちのけで - 本業(ほんぎょう)本ほん業ぎょうをそっちのけで The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word. ## When is はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで used? Use **はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで** in situations like: - criticizing someone for neglecting responsibilities - describing someone absorbed in a side activity - expressing surprise or irony when priorities are reversed Tone and register: - neutral to slightly critical; common in writing, news, and commentary - Common in test questions, essays, daily conversation, and JLPT N1 reading ## はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで example sentences

彼かれは仕し事ごとはそっちのけで、毎まい日にちゲームに熱中ねっちゅうしている。

He’s obsessed with playing games every day, ignoring his work completely.

criticism

学がく生せいたちは宿しゅく題だいをそっちのけで、漫まん画がを読よんでいる。

The students are reading comics, completely ignoring their homework.

経けい営えい者しゃは本ほん業ぎょうはそっちのけで、副業ふくぎょうに力ちからを入いれている。

The business owner is putting all their effort into a side hustle, ignoring their main business.

irony

食しょく事じはそっちのけで、電話でんわに夢む中ちゅうだ。

They’re completely absorbed in their phone, ignoring their meal.

彼女かのじょは勉べん強きょうをそっちのけで、編あみ物ものに没頭ぼっとうしている。

She’s immersed in knitting, ignoring her studies entirely.

surprise

After reading each sentence, ask what job **はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで** is doing: highlighting a striking neglect in favor of something else. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation. ## Nuance of はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで The key nuance is **complete neglect of an expected priority, with implicit criticism or amazement**. The speaker does not merely observe that one thing happened instead of another; they judge that the ignored item *should not* have been ignored. This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer's attitude, the scope of a rule, or the relationship between two ideas. For example: - In context, it carries a specific, nuanced meaning that a simpler pattern like 〜ないで or 〜代わり(かわり)に would not convey. - Compared with **をよそに**, the judgment is more direct and less detached. ## はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで vs をよそに Both **そっちのけで** and **をよそに** can express ignoring, but they are different.

はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで

subjective neglect

The speaker clearly thinks the ignored thing should be the focus. The tone is often critical or surprised.

をよそに

indifferent disregard

The subject acts regardless of the situation, not necessarily neglecting a duty. The tone is more neutral or detached.

Quick contrast examples:

仕事(しごと)はそっちのけで遊ん(あそん)でいる。

He plays around, ignoring his work (which he should be doing).

同僚(どうりょう)の心配(しんぱい)をよそに、彼(かれ)は遊び(あそび)に行っ(いっ)た。

He went out to have fun, despite his colleagues’ concern (no implication that he should have stayed).

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence casual, formal, written, explanatory, or emotional? The tone often tells you which grammar point is natural. ## Common mistakes with はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで Watch out for these mistakes: - Confusing it with 〜ないで, which simply means “without doing” and lacks the judgmental nuance - Using the wrong particle: it is always はそっちのけで or をそっちのけで, never が or に - Attaching it to a verb — it only follows nouns; the ignored thing must be a noun

❌

宿題(しゅくだい)するそっちのけでゲームをした。

そっちのけで attaches to a noun, never a verb.

✅

宿題(しゅくだい)をそっちのけでゲームをした。

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **はそっちのけで**, then rewrite it with **をよそに**. If the meaning or tone changes, explain that difference in your own words. ## Is はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで on the JLPT?

Yes. はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで is firmly a JLPT N1 grammar point.

Reading: often appears in passages about daily life and social commentary Grammar: may be tested in sentence order or particle-choice questions Expect to recognize the critical or ironic nuance in context

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions often test whether you understand the surrounding context, not just the dictionary meaning. ## Practice questions for はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで

criticism Describe a colleague who neglects essential tasks for a hobby. Use はそっちのけで.

contrast Write about a student who ignores test preparation to play sports. Use をそっちのけで.

comparison Make one sentence with はそっちのけで and another with をよそに. Explain the difference in tone.

irony Imagine a parent ignoring housework to play video games. Write a sentence that shows the irony.

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear. ## Learning path for はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで To learn **はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

Practice attaching a noun to はそっちのけで and をそっちのけで. Write 10 pairs where the same noun works equally well.

Compare it with をよそに. Write a situation where そっちのけで is natural and one where only をよそに fits.

Listen for this pattern in Japanese news or commentary; note the speaker’s tone. Does the sentence feel critical or merely observant?

Write a short paragraph about a fictional character who ignores their responsibilities, using そっちのけで at least twice. Then check whether replacing it with a simpler pattern loses the critical nuance.

## Related grammar to review next - [/blog/n1-wa/](/blog/n1-wa/) — because the は-particle often appears as a contrasting element before そっちのけで - [/blog/n1-wa-dou-de-are/](/blog/n1-wa-dou-de-are/) — because both patterns express a disregard for what something is or should be - [/blog/n1-wa-oroka/](/blog/n1-wa-oroka/) — because はおろか also sets up a contrast between something ignored and something else - [/blog/n1-wa-sateoki/](/blog/n1-wa-sateoki/) — because はさておき similarly means “putting aside,” though in a neutral, deliberate way ## Learn はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで with Hane If you want to review **はそっちのけで / をそっちのけで** 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/)