This phrase means 'put something aside'. You use it to say one thing is not important right now. You want to talk about something else that is more important.
Noun + はともかくPrimary
Noun + はともかくとして
Clause + かどうか + はともかく
This phrase means 'put something aside'. You use it to say one thing is not important right now. You want to talk about something else that is more important.
見た目はともかく、性格はいい人だよ。
Setting aside his looks, he's a good person.
値段はともかく、デザインが好きじゃないから、この服は買わない。
Never mind the price, I just don't like the design, so I won't buy these clothes.
結果はともかく、皆さんが一生懸命努力したことは評価します。
Regardless of the result, I appreciate the fact that everyone worked so hard.
味はともかくとして、そのレストランの雰囲気はとても良かった。
Setting aside the taste, the atmosphere of that restaurant was very good.
行けるかどうかはともかく、まずはチケットを予約しよう。
Whether we can go or not is another question; let's book the tickets first.
This phrase helps you focus. You mention one thing. You then say it is not the main point. The next thing you say is the important part. It's like saying, 'This part is okay, but this other part is what really matters.'
This is like '〜はさておき' and '〜は別として'. They all put something aside. But '〜はともかく' shows a stronger feeling. It means the next thing is much more important. '〜はさておき' is just a neutral way to change the topic. '〜は別として' means 'except for' or 'apart from'.
Use this when you want to say one thing is not important right now. You want to talk about something else instead. You put the less important thing before "〜はともかく".
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