ならともかく
If it's (A), sure, but (B), Putting aside (A), (B)
Structure
［い］Adjective + ならともかく
［な］Adjective + ならともかく
Noun + ならともかく
Explanation
When the hypothetical particle なら is used with the adverb ともかく ('anyway', 'be that as it may'), the resulting phrase is often translated as '(A) would be one thing, but (B)...' or 'setting (A) aside, (B)...'. This grammar pattern sets aside a hypothetical situation (A) in order to emphasize that the actual situation (B) is different, and therefore leads to a different outcome or opinion.
Grammatically, なら functions similarly to an adverbial particle and can follow nouns, verbs, or adjectives in their plain form. However, the specific construction ならともかく is almost exclusively attached to nouns.
- 子供ならともかく、大人がそんなことをするのは恥ずかしいですよ。I could understand if it were a child, but it's embarrassing for an adult to do something like that.
- 十分か二十分ならともかく、一時間も待てませんよ。Ten or twenty minutes would be one thing, but I can't wait for a whole hour.
- 安いものならともかく、こんなに高価なものを簡単には決められません。If it were something cheap, that'd be different, but I can't easily decide on something this expensive.
For a deeper look at ともかく, be sure to visit the lesson page for はともかく.
Examples
コーヒーならともかく、朝からビールは飲めない。
If it's coffee, sure, but I can't drink beer in the morning.
初心者ならともかく、上級者がこんな間違いをするのは恥ずかしい。
If it were a beginner, sure, but it's embarrassing for an advanced student to make this kind of mistake.
小さなかすり傷ならともかく、こんなに大きな怪我はすぐに病院へ行くべきだ。
If it's a small scratch, sure, but you should go to the hospital immediately for an injury this big.
十分ならともかく、一時間も待たせるなんてひどい。
If it were ten minutes, sure, but making someone wait for an hour is terrible.
友達ならともかく、知らない人に個人情報を教えるべきではない。
If it's a friend, sure, but you shouldn't tell your personal information to a stranger.
家の中ならともかく、外でパジャマのままはちょっと…。
If it's inside the house, sure, but wearing pajamas outside is a bit much...
一度忘れたのならともかく、何度も同じものをなくすのは問題だ。
If you forgot it once, sure, but losing the same thing over and over is a problem.
百円ならともかく、一万円も貸せません。
If it was 100 yen, sure, but I can't lend you 10,000 yen.
自分ならともかく、他人に迷惑をかけるのはやめなさい。
If it's just you, sure, but stop causing trouble for other people.
冗談ならともかく、本気でそんなことを言うなんて信じられない。
If it's a joke, sure, but I can't believe you would say something like that seriously.
簡単な仕事ならともかく、こんなに難しいプロジェクトを一人では無理だ。
If it was an easy job, sure, but this difficult project is impossible for one person.
少し手伝うのならともかく、全部やってあげるのはその人のためにならない。
If it's just helping a little, sure, but doing everything for them isn't for their own good.