Japanese word

ともかく

Pronunciation

Romajitomokaku

Meaning

  • adverbanyway

Example

ともかく、始めましょう。to mo ka ku haji me ma shō

Anyway, let's start.

Illustration for ともかく (anyway)

More examples

細かいことはともかく、まず練習してみましょう。koma ka i ko to wa to mo ka ku ma zu ren shū shi te mi ma shō

Putting the details aside, let's try practicing first.

Core concept

Keeps the main action or conclusion in focus even when other details remain unsettled.

Common phrases

  • それはともかくso re wa to mo ka ku

    that aside

  • 結果はともかくkek ka wa to mo ka ku

    regardless of the result

Similar words

とにかくtonikaku: An adverb that puts the main action or point first, regardless of other details.
とりあえずtoriaezu: An adverb that describes taking an immediate step before all details are settled.

Definition in Japanese

他の事柄はいったん問題にせず、ある事を始めたり進めたりする意を表す語。hoka no koto gara wa i tta n mon dai ni se zu a ru koto o haji me ta ri susu me ta ri su ru i o arawa su go

Word origin

ともかく (tomokaku) is a native formation of とも (tomo, "also") and かく (kaku, "in this way"), which together express moving forward in any case.

Usage tips

  • The English word "anyway" often matches ともかく (tomokaku) when a speaker returns to the main topic after mentioning a different point.

Word lists with this word