ともかく

§ Understanding ともかく

Hello learners! Today, we're looking at the Japanese word ともかく (tomokaku). It's a really useful word that you'll hear and see a lot. It basically means 'anyway,' 'anyhow,' or 'at any rate.' It's often used to change the topic, brush aside minor details, or to emphasize a main point. Think of it as a way to say, 'Let's put other things aside for a moment and focus on this.'

Japanese Word

ともかく

Definition

Anyway, anyhow, at any rate.

CEFR Level

B1

§ How to use ともかく in a sentence

ともかく is quite versatile. You can use it at the beginning of a sentence to shift focus, or in the middle to emphasize a conclusion. It doesn't typically require any specific prepositions, but its placement changes the nuance.

§ 1. To change the subject or brush aside details

This is one of the most common ways to use ともかく. You've been talking about something, and you want to move on to the main point or a different topic, implying that the previous details aren't as important right now.

Translation Hint

The weather is bad, but anyway, let's depart.

Here, ともかく dismisses the bad weather as a minor concern compared to the main goal of departing.

Translation Hint

He has various opinions, but anyhow, the final decision is mine.

This sentence uses ともかく to acknowledge different opinions but then strongly states the speaker's authority.

§ 2. To emphasize a point regardless of other factors

In this usage, ともかく stresses the importance of the following statement, implying that other considerations are secondary or irrelevant.

Translation Hint

The price is high, but at any rate, the quality is good.

Here, the speaker acknowledges the high price but prioritizes the good quality. The quality is the undeniable, most important aspect.

Translation Hint

He has little experience, but anyhow, he's working hard.

This sentence uses ともかく to highlight the effort, making it more important than the lack of experience.

§ 3. As a standalone interjection

You'll also hear ともかく used by itself, especially in conversation. It functions similarly to 'anyway' or 'well' in English, often to regain focus or move a conversation along.

• A: 今日は雨が降るかもしれないね。

• B: うん、でも明日は晴れるって。 ともかく、週末の計画はどうする？

Translation Hint

A: It might rain today, huh?
B: Yeah, but it's supposed to be sunny tomorrow. Anyway, what are we doing for the weekend plans?

Here, ともかく helps speaker B transition from the weather discussion to the main topic of weekend plans.

§ Practice makes perfect!

The best way to master ともかく is to pay attention to how native speakers use it. Listen for it in anime, dramas, and real-life conversations. Try to incorporate it into your own sentences. Don't worry too much about perfection at first; just try using it where you think 'anyway' or 'at any rate' would fit in English.

Let's dive into how to use the Japanese word ともかく (tomokaku). It's a really useful word that you'll hear often in many different situations, from casual conversations to more formal settings like work or news. Think of it as meaning "anyway," "anyhow," or "at any rate" in English. It helps to shift topics, emphasize a point, or move things along.

§ Understanding ともかく: The Basics

ともかく is quite versatile. Its core function is to indicate that what was just said, or what might be said, is less important than what is coming next. It's a way of saying, "Let's put that aside for a moment and focus on this."

DEFINITION

ともかく (tomokaku): Anyway, anyhow, at any rate. Used to change the subject, emphasize something, or dismiss a previous point as less important.

§ ともかく at Work

In a professional setting, ともかく can be used to steer a conversation back to the main topic or to move past minor details to the core issue. It's about being direct and efficient.

Here, the speaker acknowledges the time commitment but uses ともかく to push for action, prioritizing starting the project over dwelling on its duration.

This example shows ともかく being used to acknowledge a differing opinion but then immediately re-focus on the non-negotiable deadline.

§ ともかく at School

In academic settings or among students, ともかく can be used to summarize a point or to move on to the next task after a discussion.

The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of the test but uses ともかく to shift focus to the next task, encouraging forward movement.

This usage helps to condense a discussion and present the final outcome, indicating that despite all the different views, this is the definitive answer.

§ ともかく in the News

In news reports, ともかく can be used to move past background information to the main event or to present a summarized outcome.

Here, ともかく emphasizes the positive outcome (everyone being safe) despite the uncertainty about the cause.

This sentence uses ともかく to shift from a challenging situation (tough economy) to a new development (new policies), highlighting the action being taken.

§ Key Takeaways for ともかく

• It's a useful transition word.
• It helps to prioritize information.
• You'll hear it in many contexts, making it essential for natural Japanese conversation.

§ Don't Overuse It

Many English speakers learning Japanese tend to overuse "tomokaku" because it seems like a direct translation of "anyway." While it certainly can mean "anyway," its usage in Japanese is a bit more nuanced. If you find yourself sticking it into every sentence where you might say "anyway" in English, you're probably overdoing it. Japanese speakers often use other phrases or simply rely on context to convey a similar meaning without explicitly stating "tomokaku." For example, if you're changing the subject, a simple pause or a change in intonation might be enough. Overusing it can make your Japanese sound unnatural and a bit clunky.

§ Confusing it with "とにかく" (tonikaku)

This is a very common mistake! "Tomokaku" and "tonikaku" look and sound similar, and both can sometimes be translated as "anyway" or "at any rate." However, they have different nuances. "Tomokaku" often implies setting aside a particular detail or consideration to focus on a more important point, or shifting the topic. It's like saying, "Leaving that aside, let's talk about this."

DEFINITION

ともかく (tomokaku): Anyway, anyhow, at any rate (often used to set aside a point or shift focus).

On the other hand, "tonikaku" often emphasizes urgency, determination, or simply states that something needs to be done regardless of circumstances. It's more like "in any case, just do it" or "at least."

DEFINITION

とにかく (tonikaku): Anyway, anyhow, at any rate, in any case (often implying urgency or a minimum requirement).

Here's an example to show the difference:

English Hint: The weather is bad, but anyway, let's depart. (Here, the bad weather is being set aside to focus on departing.)

English Hint: We don't have time, so anyway, let's hurry. (Here, the lack of time makes hurrying an urgent necessity.)

§ Not understanding its nuance in different contexts

While "tomokaku" broadly means "anyway," its specific nuance can change depending on the context. It's not always a simple one-to-one replacement for "anyway" in every English sentence. Consider these situations:

• Dismissing a previous point: "That might be true, but anyway..." This is a common use for ともかく.
• Changing the subject: "We've talked about that enough, anyway..." ともかく works well here.
• Emphasizing a main point: "There are many problems, but anyway, we need to finish this." This is also a good fit.

However, if you're using "anyway" as a casual filler without a clear purpose of dismissing, changing subject, or emphasizing, ともかく might sound too strong or formal. Sometimes, a simpler interjection like 「そうですね」 (sō desu ne - that's right/I see) or even just a pause can achieve a similar conversational flow.

English Hint: His story was long, but anyway, let's get to the main point.