はともかく

はともかく means leaving aside; regardless of. It is a JLPT N2 Japanese grammar pattern used to set one matter aside to focus on another.

This grammar point often appears in advanced reading, formal writing, notices, essays, and careful conversation. If you want to read Japanese with more nuance, はともかく is a useful pattern to learn because it shows the speaker’s logic, stance, or emphasis.

What does はともかく mean?

Use はともかく when you want to set one matter aside to focus on another.

Natural translations include:

• leaving aside; regardless of
• depending on context
• in a way that matches the speaker’s emphasis

The best translation depends on the sentence. Focus first on what relationship the pattern creates between the ideas.

How to form はともかく

Noun + はともかく

Examples of the pattern:

• 値段はともかく
• 結果はともかく
• 冗談はともかく

In JLPT questions, pay close attention to the word immediately before the grammar point. Many wrong answers use a similar meaning but attach to the wrong form.

When is はともかく used?

Use はともかく in situations like:

• reading formal explanations, announcements, or essays
• making a point more precise than a basic grammar pattern would
• connecting two ideas with a clear nuance

Tone and register:

• usually neutral to formal, depending on the expression
• common in JLPT N2 reading passages, news, notices, and business-like writing

はともかく example sentences

• 値段はともかく、品質はとてもいい。 — Leaving the price aside, the quality is very good.
• 結果はともかく、努力したことは評価したい。 — Regardless of the result, I want to value the effort.
• 冗談はともかく、真面目に考えよう。 — Jokes aside, let’s think seriously.
• 見た目はともかく、味はおいしい。 — Leaving appearance aside, the taste is good.
• 彼の意見はともかく、まず事実を確認しよう。 — Putting his opinion aside, let’s first check the facts.

After reading each sentence, ask what job はともかく is doing. Is it adding, excluding, warning, emphasizing, or showing a condition? That habit makes the nuance easier to remember than a single English translation.

Nuance of はともかく

The key nuance is set one matter aside to focus on another.

This matters because N2 grammar often overlaps with easier expressions. The advanced pattern usually adds formality, emphasis, restriction, or a stronger logical relationship.

For example:

• In formal writing, はともかく often sounds more precise than a casual equivalent.
• Compared with は別として, it has a different tone or scope even when the English translation looks similar.

はともかく vs は別として

Both はともかく and は別として can express related ideas, but they are different.

はともかく:

• fits the N2 nuance explained above
• often sounds more specific, formal, or emphatic

は別として:

• is usually broader, simpler, or used in a different register
• may be better in casual conversation depending on the sentence

Quick contrast examples:

• 値段はともかく、品質はとてもいい。
• Try rewriting the sentence with は別として and notice whether the tone or meaning changes.

Common mistakes with はともかく

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Translating it too literally and missing the function in context
• Confusing it with は別として just because the English translation overlaps
• Using it in casual speech when a simpler pattern would sound more natural

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with はともかく, then compare it with a related grammar point. Explain the difference in your own words.

Is はともかく on the JLPT?

Yes. はともかく is commonly taught as JLPT N2 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

For test preparation, study the grammar point in full sentences. JLPT questions usually test context, not dictionary translation alone.

Practice questions for はともかく

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Write one sentence that clearly needs はともかく.
• Write a second sentence with は別として and compare the nuance.
• Find a notice, article, or dialogue where this kind of meaning would be natural.

Learning path for はともかく

To learn はともかく efficiently, follow a path that matches this pattern’s real function.

1. First review the formation so the base structure feels natural.
2. Then compare はともかく with は別として and the related lessons below. These recommendations are chosen from similar semantic or structural families.
3. Finally, write your own sentence where the context makes はともかく necessary.

Related grammar to review next

• n3 wa betsu toshite — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n2 nuki ni shite nuki de — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register
• n2 o nozoite — review this next because it is close in meaning, form, or register

Learn はともかく with Hane

If you want to review はともかく together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N2 grammar lessons