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Formation: N + はともかく（として）; [clause] + かどうか / question word + か + はともかく

Puts X aside as not the point right now and turns to something the speaker sees as more important. A common use is AはともかくB, where A may be lacking but B is fine, as in 見た目はともかく (it may not look good, but...). It is common in both speech and writing; はさておき is a similar, slightly more formal phrase. Compare 〜は別として, which treats X as an exception that the statement does not cover, while はともかく says X is less important than the main point. The related form NならともかくY means 'X would be understandable, but Y is not' and usually carries criticism.

Variants: 〜はともかくとして、〜ならともかく

Examples

• 見た目はともかく、味は確かだ。
  Looks aside, it definitely tastes good.
• 結果はともかく、最後まで努力したことに意味がある。
  Whatever the result, the fact that you kept trying to the end means something.
• 子どもならともかく、大人がそんなことを言うなんて。
  From a child I could understand it, but for an adult to say that!

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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