ならともかく

If it's (A), sure, but (B), Putting aside (A), (B)

俺おれの妹いもうとならともかく、俺おれはそんなことしねぇ〜よ。

If it's my little sister, sure, but I would never do such a thing.

Explanation

「ならともかく」 means 'if it were..., fine, but...'. You first set up an easily forgivable or special case ('that would be acceptable'), but the reality is not that, and the second part is unacceptable: 「小学生ならともかく、大学生がこんな初歩的な漢字も書けないなんて」 (It would be fine for a primary schooler, but a university student who can't write such a basic kanji!). It carries anger, criticism or disbelief.

Mixed up with

Remember the structure: a forgiving premise (a child, a beginner, a cheap item, a light injury...), then criticism of a serious second part. When you see that contrast, pick 「ならともかく」.

In plain English: 'that would be one thing, but...'.

Easily confused withはともかく・ならともかく: the difference ›ならともかく・ならまだしも: the difference ›

Examples

赤あかん坊ぼうならともかく、子供こどもには叱しかる事ことも必要ひつようだ。
If it's a baby, sure, but it's necessary to scold kids.
男性だんせいの方ほうが女性じょせいよりも偉えらい？昭和しょうわならともかく、今いまは令和れいわだ。
Men are higher status than women? If it was Showa, sure, but it's Reiwa now.
生魚なまざかなならともかく、納豆なっとうは食たべられません。
If it's raw fish, sure, but I can't eat natto.
丈夫じょうぶで何回なんかいも使つかえるものならともかく、なんでわざわざ高たかくて使つかい捨すてみたいなもんを買かうんですか。
If it is tough and can be used multiple times, sure, but why would you go out of your way to buy something that is expensive and basically disposable.
新人しんじんならともかく、君きみみたいなベテランがわからないようじゃ困こまったもんだよ。
I understand if a newbie didn't know, but it is a problem if a long time worker like you didn't know.
夜よるならともかく、夏なつは日中にっちゅうは外そとに出でられない。
If it's night, sure, but you can't go outside during the day in summer.
社長しゃちょうならともかく、平社員ひらしゃいんに決定権けっていけんはありません。
If it's the president, sure, but a rank-and-file staff member has no right to make decisions.
イケメンならともかく、そうでない人ひとはナンパで成功せいこうしないだろう。
If it's a hottie, sure, but a person that isn't would surely not succeed at picking someone up.
得意とくいな科目かもくならともかく、そうでないならテスト勉強べんきょうが必要ひつようだ。
If it's a subject I'm good at, sure, but if it's not, test study will be necessary.
試合しあいに勝かったのならともかく、負まけたのだから反省はんせいしなさい。
If you won the contest, sure, but since you lost, learn from it.
アメリカならともかく、日本にほんでは露出度ろしゅつどの高たかい服ふくは着きられない。
If it was America, sure, but in Japan, you can't wear something with that much exposure.
日本にほんならともかく、フランスで自分じぶんの荷物にもつから目めを離はなしたら荷物にもつがなくなるだろう。
If it was Japan, sure, but if you take your eyes off your luggage in France, it will probably disappear.
お金持かねもちならともかく、そうでない人ひとは飛行機ひこうきのビジネスクラスには乗のれない。
If you're a rich person, sure, but for people that aren't, you can't ride in business class on a plane.
ただ思おもうだけならともかく、差別的さべつてきな発言はつげんをするのは許ゆるされません。
If it's nothing more than a thought, sure, but it is unforgivable if you blurt out a discriminatory statement.

ならともかく

Explanation

Mixed up with

Examples

Tested 3 times in past papers