Grammar Info

N2 Lesson 9: 17/37

(べつ)としてApart from, (Setting) aside, Whether or, Except for, Save for

Structure

Noun + (べつ)として + Phrase
A(1) + ()+ B(1) + ()+ (べつ)として + Phrase
A(1) + ()+ (Antonym) A(1) + ()+ (べつ)として + Phrase
A(1) + かどうか(2) + (べつ)として + Phrase
A(1) + A[ない](1) + (べつ)として + Phrase

(1) Noun, [な]Adjective[い]Adjective、Verb
(2) (いな)

Details

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    Standard

About は別として

(べつ)として is a set phrase with the meaning of 'setting aside (A)', 'except for (A)', or 'save for (A)'. This structure combines は, (べつ), a noun meaning 'difference', 'separation', or 'distinction', と, and the て-form of する. Due to this combination, the more literal meaning is 'going ahead with (A) as an exception', and just declares that (A) is something that is being completely disregarded before discussing the main point.

As は is simply marking the topic in the same way that it usually does, this phrase may be seen after a noun, or any other word that would usually be grouped with は. This frequently includes things like かどうか.

It is also fairly common to see the (A) word repeated in both its positive and negated form. This has the nuance of 'whether or not', in the same way as かどうか.

Despite this grammar structure being used to essentially remove (A) from what is being discussed, the primary reason for this is that (A) is usually an exception to some particular rule or constant that the speaker wants to highlight.

Caution

(べつ)として may occasionally be replaced by (べつ)にして, with little change in overall nuance. The use of と merely sounds more definitive, while に expresses that the speaker is intentionally separating (A).

  • ()()(べつ)にして、あそこの料理(りょうり)はとても美味(おい)しい。
    Aside from the appearance, the food there is very good.

Examples

--:--

    手伝(てつだ)うべきかどうか(べつ)としてそもそも現場(げんば)にはいなかった。

    Leaving aside whether I should help or not, I wasn't at the scene in the first place.

    それ(べつ)としてもたぶん(おそ)かれ(はや)かれやそのトピックに(もど)ってくるだろう。

    Even if we set it aside, that topic will most likely resurface sooner or later.

    この子犬(こいぬ)はかわいい、かわいくない(べつ)として(たし)かに動物(どうぶつ)としては随分(ずいぶん)(かしこ)い。

    Leaving aside whether this puppy is cute or not, certainly, it is extremely smart for an animal.

    そのジョークを()うのはいいか(わる)いか(べつ)として自分(じぶん)ではとてもおもしろいと(おも)った!

    Leaving aside whether saying this joke is good or bad, I thought it was really funny.

    ()われている餌食(えじき)自身(じしん)(べつ)として()っている捕食(ほしょく)動物(どうぶつ)本当(ほんとう)(しあわ)せだ。

    (Setting) aside the prey that is being eaten, the predator enjoying its meal is surely happy.

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      は別として – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (2 in total)

      • Hadros232232

        Hadros232232

        What is the difference between はともかく and はべつとして?

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @Hadros232232 !

        はともかくandは別として are basically the same expressions, but は別として has the nuance that the phrase or the word that comes before ‘is not a concern’ to the phrase that comes after it.

        For example:

        実験の結果の良し悪しはともかく結果を見たい。
        Setting aside whether the results of the experiment are good or bad, I want to see them.
        This sentence has the nuance of ‘Lets not think about whether the results of the experiment are good or bad, I want to see them’

        実験の結果の良し悪しは別として結果を見たい。
        Setting aside whether the results of the experiment are good or bad, I want to see them.
        This has a similar nuance to the sentence above, but has a stronger nuance that the results of the experiment is not important to them at the moment. ‘Whether the results of the experiment is good or bad does not matter right now, I just want to see the results.’

        We hope that this answers your question!<...

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