は別として | Aside From and Leaving Aside in Japanese

Parking One Question to Answer Another

は別(べつ)として sets something aside so the rest can be discussed on its own terms.

The parked item is not dismissed. It is acknowledged as a live issue and deferred.

The most useful form. It brackets an unresolved question:

成功(せいこう)するかどうかは別(べつ)として、挑戦(ちょうせん)する価値(かち)はある。(Whether it succeeds or not aside, it's worth trying.)

This lets you make a point without first settling a dispute — very common in discussion and in writing.

Opposite jobs, easily confused because both start with は:

Pattern	Job
は別(べつ)として	excludes and defers
はもちろん	includes and adds

Interchangeable, marginally more spoken. Both are neutral in politeness and work in conversation and writing alike.

Example Sentences

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Speed

値段(ねだん)は別(べつ)として、品質(ひんしつ)はいいと思(おも)います。

Leaving the price aside, I think the quality is good.

成功(せいこう)するかどうかは別(べつ)として、挑戦(ちょうせん)する価値(かち)はある。

Whether it succeeds or not, it's worth attempting.

冗談(じょうだん)は別(べつ)として、本題(ほんだい)に入(はい)りましょう。

Joking aside, let's get to the main subject.

結果(けっか)は別(べつ)として、よく頑張(がんば)りました。

Result aside, you worked hard.

好(す)き嫌(きら)いは別(べつ)として、必要(ひつよう)な仕事(しごと)です。

Whether you like it or not, it's necessary work.

費用(ひよう)は別(べつ)にして計画(けいかく)を立(た)てましょう。

Let's plan it, setting the cost aside for now.

理由(りゆう)は別(べつ)として、遅刻(ちこく)は遅刻(ちこく)です。

Reasons aside, late is late.

可能(かのう)かどうかは別(べつ)として、検討(けんとう)してみます。

Whether it's feasible aside, I'll look into it.