Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 10: 7/21

ならともかくIf it's (A), sure, but (B), Putting aside (A), (B)

Structure

Verb + ならともかく
［い］Adjective + ならともかく
［な］Adjective + ならともかく
Noun + ならともかく

Details

    About ならともかく

    When なら, the hypothetical form of the auxiliary verb だ is paired with the adverb ともかく 'to set aside', it will often be translated as 'if it is (A), sure, but not in the case of (B)', or more simply 'putting (A) aside, (B)'. This structure usually just indicates that if it were (A), then the result or situation would be different, but because it is not (A), the result or situation is not different (it is as it currently is).

    なら is often classified as and functions in the same way as an adverbial particle, meaning that it will primarily be appended to the plain form of nouns, verbs, or adjectives. However, ならともかく itself is used mainly after nouns.

    For more details about ともかく, please see the fun fact on the はともかく lesson page!

    Examples

    --:--

      生魚(なまざかな)ならともかく、納豆(なっとう)は食(た)べられません。

      If it's raw fish, sure, but I can't eat natto.

      夜(よる)ならともかく、夏(なつ)は日中(にっちゅう)は外(そと)に出(で)られない。

      If it's night, sure, but you can't go outside during the day in summer.

      赤(あか)ん坊(ぼう)ならともかく、子供(こども)には叱(しか)る事(こと)も必要(ひつよう)だ。

      If it's a baby, sure, but it's necessary to scold kids.

      社長(しゃちょう)ならともかく、平社員(ひらしゃいん)に決定権(けっていけん)はありません。

      If it's the president, sure, but a rank-and-file staff member has no right to make decisions.

      イケメンならともかく、そうでない人(ひと)はナンパで成功(せいこう)しないだろう。

      If it's a hottie, sure, but a person that isn't would surely not succeed at picking someone up.

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