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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