At a glance
Noun はさておき means "setting X aside" or "X aside". It is used to put one topic aside for now and move on to the point the speaker thinks matters more.
Noun + はさておき、[main point]
冗談はさておき、本題に入りましょう。 Joking aside, let's get to the main topic.
How to form it
| Attaches to | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | 値段はさておき | Price aside |
| Question clause + か | 誰がやるかはさておき | Leaving aside who does it |
| Clause + かどうか | できるかどうかはさておき | Leaving aside whether it's possible |
| Set phrase | それはさておき | That aside / Anyway |
| Set phrase | 何はさておき | Before anything else |
Register: slightly formal. It appears often in writing and speeches. The set phrases are also common in conversation. Politeness depends on the rest of the sentence.