N1 has three groups of patterns: ともかく/さておき/別として for "setting aside," がてら/かたわら for "doing two things simultaneously," and には〜が/ことは〜が for "I did it, but..."
① ともかく / さておき / 別として: Setting Aside
All three express putting A aside to focus on B:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| この監督は才能はともかく、実績には目を張るものがある。 | This coach's talent aside, his results are truly impressive. |
| いい成果が出るかどうかはさておき、皆でこの任務を完成することが一番大事だ。 | Setting aside whether we'll get good results, completing this mission together is most important. |
| 見た目は別として、味はとても美味しい。 | Appearance aside, the taste is excellent. |
Connection: Noun + はともかく / はさておき / は別として
Subtle Differences
| Expression | Nuance |
|---|---|
| はともかく | Most versatile, "let's not talk about A" |
| はさておき | Slightly formal, "let's set A aside" |
| は別として | Most direct, "A is a separate matter" |
Key Points
- All set aside A, then emphasize B
- A is typically something hard to evaluate or less important
- B is what the speaker really wants to say
② がてら / かたわら: Doing Two Things
「がてら」and「かたわら」both express one person doing two activities, but with different emphasis:
がてら: While Also / On the Way
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 散歩がてら、コンビニに寄る。 | While taking a walk, I'll stop by the convenience store. |
| 買い物がてら、友達の家に寄った。 | While shopping, I stopped by my friend's house. |
Connection: Noun + がてら / Verb ます-stem + がてら Nuance: doing B along the way while doing A; both purposes coexist.
かたわら: On the Side / While Also
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 商売のかたわら、小説を書いている。 | While running a business, he writes novels on the side. |
| 教師のかたわら、音楽活動も行っている。 | While working as a teacher, she also does music activities. |
Connection: Noun + のかたわら / Verb dictionary form + かたわら Nuance: A is the main occupation, B is a simultaneous side activity.
がてら vs かたわら
| Expression | Relationship | Timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| がてら | Doing B along the way with A | One-time |
| かたわら | Doing B alongside main activity A | Long-term |
③ には〜が / ことは〜が: I Did, But…
These patterns repeat the same verb to express having done something but with unsatisfying results:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 食べられるには食べられるが、あまり美味しくない。 | I can eat it, sure, but it's not very tasty. |
| 読んだことは読んだが、わからないところがいっぱいある。 | I read it, sure, but there are lots of parts I don't understand. |
| 行くには行ったが、何も買わなかった。 | I went, sure, but didn't buy anything. |
Connection:
- Verb dict/potential form + には + same verb + が
- Verb た-form + ことは + same verb た-form + が
Key Points
- The same verb is repeated before and after
- First part affirms "yes, I did it"
- Second part adds "but..." (unsatisfying result)
Overview
| Pattern | Meaning | Core Logic |
|---|---|---|
| ともかく/さておき | Setting A aside | Shelve → emphasize B |
| がてら/かたわら | Doing two things | Parallel activities |
| には〜が | Did it, but... | Affirm → contradict |
Summary
- ともかく/さておき/別として = Setting aside A, the real point is B
- がてら = Doing B along the way while doing A (one-time)
- かたわら = Doing B alongside main activity A (long-term)
- には〜が / ことは〜が = I did it, but the result wasn't great
Self-Check
1. Translate: 「散歩がてら、コンビニに寄る。」
Show Answer
"While taking a walk, I'll stop by the convenience store." がてら = doing B along the way while doing A.
2. What does 「才能はともかく」 mean?
Show Answer
"Talent aside" (setting aside the question of talent). はともかく = shelving A to focus on B.
3. Rewrite using には〜が: 行きました。でも何も買いませんでした。
Show Answer
行くには行ったが、何も買わなかった。 "I went, sure, but I didn't buy anything." (Repeated verb = affirm → contradict)