Japanese JLPT Grammar Point
Noun はいざ知らず (~ wa iza shirazu)

Noun はいざ知らず (~ wa iza shirazu)

Short explanation:

Used to express that it's understood why 'A' would be the case but not 'B'. It's like saying 'Well, I can understand it for A, but for B...?'

Formation:

Noun + はいざ知らず, Noun + だけど/しかし/とは言え

Examples:

彼が遅れるのはいざ知らず、彼女まで遅刻するとは意外だ。
Kare ga okureru no wa iza shirazu, kanojo made chikoku suru towa igai da.
Well, I can understand him being late, but even her...? That's surprising.
夏はいざ知らず、冬にアイスクリームを食べるのは寒すぎませんか?
Natsu wa iza shirazu, fuyu ni aisukurimu wo taberu no wa samusugimasen ka?
Well, I can understand eating ice cream in the summer, but in the winter...isn't it too cold?
子供がテレビゲームに夢中になるのはいざ知らず、大人までそんなに夢中になるとは思わなかった。
Kodomo ga terebi geemu ni muchuu ni naru no wa iza shirazu, otona made sonnani muchuu ni naru towa omowanakatta.
I can see why kids get hooked on video games, but I didn't think even adults would get that absorbed.
苦しい時はいざ知らず、平時でもそんなに努力するなんてすばらしい。
Kurushii toki wa iza shirazu, heiji demo sonnani doryoku suru nante subarashii.
Well, I can understand making such an effort in times of hardship, but to do so even in normal times is impressive.

Long explanation:

The はいざ知らず grammar point is used when making a comparison between two things: the first being a logical or natural consequence or situation, whilst the second is more surprising or unexpected. It is often translated to English as 'Well, it's understandable for..., but for...' or 'I can see why...but ...?'

Detailed Grammar notes:

Processing keyword: Noun はいざ知らず (~ wa iza shirazu)

Japanese Grammar Point: Noun はいざ知らず (~ wa iza shirazu)

Noun はいざ知らず (~ wa iza shirazu)

1. Introduction

In this lesson, we'll explore the Japanese grammar point 「Noun はいざ知らず」 (~ wa iza shirazu). This expression is used to highlight a contrast between two things, suggesting that while the first may be acceptable or understandable, the second is different. It can be translated as:

  • "I don't know about Noun, but..."
  • "Maybe Noun is one thing, but..."
  • "It's possible for Noun, but..." This structure helps you express opinions or judgments by contrasting different situations or entities.

2. Core Grammar Explanation

Meaning

「Noun はいざ知らず」 is used to:

  • Contrast the noun before はいざ知らず with the following statement.
  • Imply that while you may not know or comment about the first noun, the second part is certain or different.
  • Suggest that something may be true for Noun, but not for something else.

Structure

The structure of this grammar point is:

Noun + は + いざ知らず + [Rest of the sentence]

Formation Diagram

Component Role
Noun Topic being contrasted
Topic marker particle
いざ知らず "I don't know about..."
Rest of sentence Statement of contrast

3. Comparative Analysis

Similar Grammar Points

  1. Noun はともかく(として)
    • Meaning: "Putting Noun aside", "Regardless of Noun"
    • Usage: Downplays the importance of Noun to focus on another point.
    • Example: 値段はともかく、品質が大切です。
      • "Putting the price aside, quality is important."
  2. Noun は別として
    • Meaning: "Apart from Noun", "Except for Noun"
    • Usage: Excludes Noun from the general statement.
    • Example: 天気は別として、旅行は楽しかった。
      • "Apart from the weather, the trip was enjoyable." Differences:
  • はいざ知らず implies uncertainty or unwillingness to comment on Noun, whereas はともかく and は別として are used to set Noun aside deliberately.
  • はいざ知らず often introduces a contrast based on knowledge or experience.

4. Examples in Context

Example 1: Formal Speech

Japanese: 若者はいざ知らず、高齢者にはこの技術は難しい。 Romaji: Wakamono wa iza shirazu, kōreisha ni wa kono gijutsu wa muzukashii. English: "I don't know about young people, but for the elderly, this technology is difficult."

Example 2: Informal Conversation

Japanese: デザインはいいかもしれないが、機能性はいざ知らず。 Romaji: Dezain wa ii kamo shirenai ga, kinōsei wa iza shirazu. English: "The design might be good, but I don't know about its functionality."

Example 3: Written Language

Japanese: 初心者はいざ知らず、経験者がこんなミスをするとは。 Romaji: Shoshinsha wa iza shirazu, keiken-sha ga konna misu o suru to wa. English: "I might understand if it were a beginner, but for someone experienced to make such a mistake..."

Example 4: Polite Context

Japanese: 昔はいざ知らず、現在ではこれが常識です。 Romaji: Mukashi wa iza shirazu, genzai de wa kore ga jōshiki desu. English: "I don't know about the past, but nowadays this is common knowledge."

Example 5: Spoken Language

Japanese: あの店は味はいざ知らず、サービスはいいよ。 Romaji: Ano mise wa aji wa iza shirazu, sābisu wa ii yo. English: "I can't say about the taste at that restaurant, but the service is good."

5. Cultural Notes

Cultural Relevance

  • Indirect Communication: Japanese culture values indirectness and avoiding direct confrontation. Using はいざ知らず allows the speaker to express opinions without outright dismissing others.
  • Politeness Levels: This expression is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings, but it's often seen in written language or polite speech.

Idiomatic Expressions

  • いざ知らず on its own can sometimes be used to mean "I don't know about that" in a humble or modest way.

6. Common Mistakes and Tips

Error Analysis

  1. Omitting the Particle は
    • Incorrect: 初心者いざ知らず、プロが失敗するなんて。
    • Correct: 初心者いざ知らず、プロが失敗するなんて。 Tip: Always include the particle before いざ知らず to mark the noun being contrasted.
  2. Misplacing いざ知らず
    • Incorrect: いざ知らずプロが失敗するなんて初心者は。
    • Correct: 初心者は*いざ知らず、プロが失敗するなんて。* Tip: いざ知らず follows the noun plus and precedes the contrasting statement.

Learning Strategies

  • Association: Remember that いざ知らず comes from いざ知らず ("I do not know"), helping you recall that it implies uncertainty about the first noun.
  • Practice: Create your own sentences contrasting two situations to become comfortable with the structure.

7. Summary and Review

Key Takeaways

  • 「Noun はいざ知らず」 is used to contrast the noun with another statement, expressing uncertainty or non-commitment about the noun.
  • It suggests that while Noun might be one way, the following statement is certainly different.
  • Always use the particle after the noun and before いざ知らず.

Quick Recap Quiz

  1. Fill in the blank: 子供___いざ知らず、大人がそんなことを信じるとは。 Answer: 子供いざ知らず、大人がそんなことを信じるとは。
  2. True or False: はいざ知らず can be used without the particle . Answer: False. The particle is necessary to correctly form the expression.
  3. Translate the sentence: Japanese: 高級品はいざ知らず、この値段でこの品質は素晴らしい。 English: "I don't know about luxury items, but at this price, this quality is wonderful."

By understanding and practicing 「Noun はいざ知らず」, you'll be able to express contrasts and nuances more effectively in Japanese.

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