はさておき
(Leaving or putting) aside, Apart
Structure
Phrase + かどうか(2) + はさておき(1)
(1) はさておいて
(2) か
Explanation
はさておき is a grammar pattern that means 'setting (A) aside,' or 'putting (A) to one side for now'. It is formed from the adverbial particle は, the conjunction さて ('well then', used to change the subject), and 置き, the conjunctive form of the verb 置く, which means 'to place' or 'to leave'. A more literal meaning could be understood as 'as for (A), now putting it aside...'.
This expression is used when the speaker wants to set aside a certain topic (A), in order to address a different topic that is considered more urgent or important at the moment.
はさておき is most frequently attached directly to a noun.
- 旅行先はさておき、問題は費用だ。Putting the destination aside, the real problem is the cost.
- 詳しいことはさておき、まずは締め切りまでに終わらせよう。Leaving the details aside for now, let's just focus on finishing by the deadline.
It is also quite common for はさておき to appear after a phrase ending in かどうか. This structure conveys the meaning of 'regardless of whether (A) or not, (B)', suggesting that (B) is the higher priority and the uncertainty of (A) is not important right now.
- 見た目がいいかどうかはさておき、とりあえず食べてみましょう。Leaving aside whether it looks appealing or not, let's just give it a try.
- 勝てるかどうかはさておき、全力を尽くすことが大切だ。Regardless of whether you can win or not, what's important is to give it your all.
Caution
On rare occasions, さて may be written with the kanji 扨 or 扠, but this is uncommon. Similarly, the verb 置く might be substituted with the verb 措く, which also means 'to set aside'.
Fun Fact
冗談はさておき is a common set phrase used to mean 'jokes aside' or 'on a more serious note'.
- 冗談はさておき、明日の計画を真面目に考えましょう。All kidding aside, let's seriously think about our plan for tomorrow.
Examples
お金の話はさておき、今度どこに遊びに行くか決めよう。
Money talk aside, let's decide where we're going for fun next time.
このレストランは味はさておき、値段がとても安い。
Putting the taste aside, this restaurant is very cheap.
駅から遠いのはさておき、このアパートは家賃が手頃だ。
Apart from it being far from the station, the rent for this apartment is affordable.
その問題はさておき、まずは昼食にしましょう。
Putting that problem aside, let's have lunch first.
口が悪いことはさておき、彼は根は優しい人です。
Apart from his sharp tongue, he is a kind person deep down.
彼の冗談はさておき、彼の提案には価値があると思う。
His jokes aside, I think his proposal has merit.
旅行に行けるかどうかはさておき、計画を立てるだけでも楽しい。
Leaving aside whether or not we can actually go on the trip, just making the plans is fun.
この鞄の色はさておき、デザインがとても気に入った。
Putting the color of this bag aside, I really like the design.
健太：「このゲーム、難しすぎるよ！」
由美：「難易度はさておき、グラフィックが素晴らしいと思わない？」
Kenta: 'This game is too hard!'
Yumi: 'Putting the difficulty aside, don't you think the graphics are amazing?'
新人：「予算が足りるか心配です。」
先輩：「費用のことはさておき、まずはどんなアイデアがあるか出しましょう。」
New Employee: 'I'm worried if the budget will be enough.'
Senior Employee: 'Putting costs aside for a moment, let's start by brainstorming what kind of ideas we have.'
先生：「作文の文法がめちゃくちゃだよ。」
学生：「文法の間違いはさておき、内容は伝わりましたか。」
Teacher: 'The grammar in your essay is a mess.'
Student: 'Grammar mistakes aside, was my message conveyed?'
母：「またゲームばかりして！宿題は？」
子供：「宿題のことはさておき、このステージをクリアしないと！」
Mother: 'Playing games again! What about your homework?'
Child: 'Leaving my homework aside, I have to clear this stage!'