GRAMMAR
〜はいざ知らず・〜ならいざ知らず
i don't know about x, but ~
Explanation
NOTE
〜はいざ知らず means I don't know about X, but... — X may be acceptable, but the second part is not.
子供はいざ知らず、大人がそんなことを言うのは変だ。
I don't know about children, but it is strange for an adult to say such a thing.
NOTE
It is formal and literary. The second clause usually shows surprise, criticism, or contrast.
NOTE
For the はいざ知らず form, attach it directly to a noun followed by the particle は.
STRUCTURE
N辞
はいざ知らず昔はいざ知らず、今はそんな習慣はない。
Mukashi wa iza shirazu, ima wa sonna shuukan wa nai.
I don't know about the past, but there is no such custom now.
専門家はいざ知らず、素人には難しい。
Senmonka wa iza shirazu, shirouto ni wa muzukashii.
I don't know about experts, but it is difficult for amateurs.
新人はいざ知らず、ベテランがミスをするとは。
Shinjin wa iza shirazu, beteran ga misu o suru to wa.
I don't know about a newcomer, but for a veteran to make a mistake...
他人はいざ知らず、私は早く帰りたいです。
Tanin wa iza shirazu, watashi wa hayaku kaeritai desu.
I don't know about other people, but I want to go home early.
昨日はいざ知らず、今日はとても元気です。
Kinō wa iza shirazu, kyō wa totemo genki desu.
I don't know about yesterday, but I feel great today.
専門家はいざ知らず、私には難しすぎます。
Senmonka wa iza shirazu, watashi ni wa muzukashisugimasu.
I don't know about the experts, but it's too difficult for me.
NOTE
For the ならいざ知らず form, attach it directly to a noun. It works the same way with the なら part.
学生ならいざ知らず、社会人がそれは許されない。
I don't know about students, but for a working adult that is not allowed.
STRUCTURE
N辞
ならいざ知らず新人ならいざ知らず、部長が遅刻するとは。
Shinjin nara iza shirazu, buchou ga chikoku suru to wa.
I don't know about a newcomer, but for the manager to be late...
無料ならいざ知らず、有料でこの質は困る。
Muryou nara iza shirazu, yuuryou de kono shitsu wa komaru.
I don't know about a free service, but this quality for a paid one is a problem.
外国ならいざ知らず、日本ではそれは普通だ。
Gaikoku nara iza shirazu, Nihon de wa sore wa futsuu da.
I don't know about abroad, but in Japan that is normal.
新人社員ならいざ知らず、ベテランのあなたがこんな失敗をするなんて。
Shinjin shain narai za shirazu, beteran no anata ga konna shippai o suru nante.
I don't know about a new employee, but I am surprised that a veteran like you made a mistake like this.
夏休みならいざ知らず、今日は平日なので混んでいません。
Natsuyasumi narai za shirazu, kyou wa heijitsu na node konde imasen.
I don't know about during summer vacation, but today is a weekday, so it is not crowded.
子供ならいざ知らず、大人がそんなに泣くのはおかしいですよ。
Kodomo narai za shirazu, otona ga sonna ni naku no wa okashii desu yo.
I don't know about a child, but it is strange for an adult to cry like that.
Practice exercises
1
子供はいざ知らず、大人がそう言うのは変だ。
I don't know about children, but it is strange for an adult to say so.
Answer
はいざ知らず
2
昔はいざ知らず、今はそんな習慣はない。
I don't know about the past, but there is no such custom now.
Answer
はいざ知らず
3
専門家はいざ知らず、素人には難しい。
I don't know about experts, but it is difficult for amateurs.
Answer
はいざ知らず
4
学生ならいざ知らず、社会人にそれは許されない。
I don't know about students, but for a working adult that is not allowed.
Answer
ならいざ知らず
5
無料ならいざ知らず、有料でこの質は困る。
I don't know about a free service, but this quality for a paid one is a problem.
Answer
ならいざ知らず
6
外国ならいざ知らず、日本ではそれは普通だ。
I don't know about abroad, but in Japan that is normal.
Answer
ならいざ知らず
7
昔はいざ知らず、今はプロ並の腕前だ。
I don't know about the old days, but now the skill is on par with a professional's.
Answer
はいざ知らず
8
彼の言い分はいざ知らず、聞く価値があるとはいえ、賛同はできない。
I don't know about his side of the story, but while it has some value, I cannot agree with it.
Answer
はいざ知らず
9
一般論はいざ知らず、このケースでは個別の事情を考慮すべきだ。
I don't know about general theory, but in this case, individual circumstances should be considered.
Answer
はいざ知らず
10
彼の才能はいざ知らず、私には真似できないまでも、目標にはなる。
I don't know about his talent, but even if I cannot imitate him, he serves as a goal.
Answer
はいざ知らず
11
彼の過去の失敗談ならいざ知らず、今回の件はもっと深刻だ。
I don't know about his past failure stories, but this time the matter is far more serious.
Answer
ならいざ知らず