〜は別として

Apart from

Level 4Sounds Like hawakatoshite

The pattern 〜は別として（はべつとして） is used to say 'apart from' or 'setting aside' a specific topic. It categorizes something as a separate issue so you can focus on the main point of the discussion.

How It Works

The word 別（べつ） means 'separate' or 'different.' When you use 〜は別として, you are literally saying 'treating [A] as a separate matter.'

Key Nuances:

  • Neutral Categorization: Unlike 〜はともかく, which often implies the first part is less important or 'bad,' 〜は別として is more neutral. It can be used to exclude a 'special case' that is actually better than the rest (e.g., 'Apart from professionals...').
  • Focusing the Argument: It is frequently used when you want to acknowledge a flaw or a condition but move on to a more significant point. For example, 'Setting aside the price, the quality is great.'
  • Variations: You may also hear 〜は別にして（はべつにして）. They are interchangeable, though 〜は別にして can sound slightly more active ('making it separate').

Examples (5)

  1. 彼女の料理は、見た目は別として、味はとてもいい。

    Apart from the appearance, her cooking tastes very good.

    Word by Word: Her cooking, appearance as separate, taste is very good.

    Here, the speaker acknowledges the appearance might not be great but sets it aside to praise the taste.

  2. 美味しいかどうかは別として、栄養があるから食べなさい。

    Setting aside whether it tastes good or not, eat it because it's nutritious.

    Word by Word: Delicious whether or not as separate, nutrition exists because eat (imperative).

    This uses the whether or not structure to treat the taste as a separate issue from the health benefits.

  3. どこへ行くかは別として、とにかく家を出よう。

    Setting aside where we are going, let's just leave the house for now.

    Word by Word: Where to go as separate, anyway house leave (volitional).

    This demonstrates the embedded question structure, where the destination is treated as a secondary concern.

  4. プロは別として、素人がこの曲を弾くのは無理だ。

    Apart from professionals, it is impossible for an amateur to play this song.

    Word by Word: Professionals as separate, amateurs this song playing is impossible.

    In this case, the 'separate' category (professionals) is the superior exception.

  5. 合格できるかどうかは別として、一生懸命頑張るつもりだ。

    Setting aside whether I can pass or not, I intend to do my absolute best.

    Word by Word: Whether can pass or not as separate, with all my might intend to work hard.

    The speaker focuses on their determination rather than the uncertain outcome.

Common Mistakes

  • Attaching the pattern directly to a verb without かどうか.

    行くは別として、準備だけはしておこう。
    行くかどうかは別として、準備だけはしておこう。

    When setting aside an action or a choice, you must use かどうか (whether or not) or a question word with か. You cannot attach it directly to a verb.

  • Using it to change the subject of a conversation.

    天気は別として、お母さんはお元気ですか？
    天気はさておき、お母さんはお元気ですか？

    To completely change the topic ('Leaving that aside, let's talk about...'), 〜はさておき is the natural choice. 〜は別として is for making a judgment within a specific context or excluding an exception.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

〜は別としてLevel 4Apart from

Learn This First

To understand '〜は別として', you need to know how the topic marker 'は' functions to isolate a subject. You also need to understand the grammar point 'として' (as/in the role of) and how the 'te-form' is used to link clauses, as this pattern literally means 'treating [X] as a separate thing'.

Words in This Pattern

別として