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JLPT N3 · Sentence patterns

は別(べつ)として (wa betsu toshite)

~は別として — “aside from ~ / setting ~ aside”

In short · Puts one thing aside as a separate matter and talks about the rest. It follows a noun (or a noun-like phrase) and then the main point is stated. Used for “set X aside, then Y”, or “X may be different, but Y is …”.
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Pattern

  • 名詞+は別として setting aside ~ (also 〜は別にして)
  • 動詞辞書形/名詞(疑問詞+か)+かは別として whether ~ or not aside, …

Treating it as a separate issue

A は別として、B means “whatever A is, B is what matters or what I will say.” It does not deny A; it just sets it aside for now. 値段は別として、デザインは気に入った: price is another question, but I like the design.

Common uses

A fixed phrase 冗談は別として (joking aside) is used to return to the main subject. 結果は別として shows that the process matters more than the result. A can also be a clause: 本当かどうかは別として.

Close expressions

~はさておき is very similar and a little more written. ~はともかく also sets A aside, but with the sense that A is less important. ~は別として is the most neutral.

Examples

  • 値段(ねだん)は別(べつ)として、デザインは気(き)に入(い)った。

    Nedan wa betsu toshite, dezain wa ki ni itta.

    Aside from the price, I like the design.

  • 冗談(じょうだん)は別(べつ)として、そろそろ本題(ほんだい)に入(はい)ろう。

    Joudan wa betsu toshite, sorosoro hondai ni hairou.

    Joking aside, let’s get to the main topic now.

  • 結果(けっか)は別(べつ)として、最後(さいご)まで頑張(がんば)ったことが大事(だいじ)だ。

    Kekka wa betsu toshite, saigo made ganbatta koto ga daiji da.

    Aside from the result, what matters is that you tried until the end.

Common mistakes

  • It does not mean “A is unimportant”. It only sets A aside for now. For “A matters less”, ~はともかく fits better.
  • A must be a noun or a noun-like phrase (verbs need こと or か: 行くかどうかは別として).

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