Welcome to our deep dive into advanced Japanese grammar! Today we’re exploring the N1-level grammar pattern ～ならいざしらず (nara iza shirazu), a sophisticated expression that will elevate your Japanese to a more polished, native-like level.
What Does ～ならいざしらず Mean?
The expression ～ならいざしらず can be translated as:
- “If it were (X), that would be one thing, but…”
- “As for (X), I could understand, but…”
- “I might accept (X), but…”
This expression is used to acknowledge one condition or case as potentially acceptable or understandable, but then to contrast it with another situation that is less acceptable or understandable.
Grammar Formation
The structure follows this pattern:
Noun + ならいざしらず
Verb (dictionary form) + のならいざしらず
い-Adjective + のならいざしらず
な-Adjective + ならいざしらず
This is typically followed by another clause that presents a contrasting scenario that is considered less acceptable or reasonable.
Nuance and Usage
This expression carries a somewhat literary or formal tone and is often used in:
- Written Japanese
- Formal speeches
- Business settings
- Academic discussions
It creates a rhetorical contrast that emphasizes the speaker’s dissatisfaction or concern with the second scenario while acknowledging that the first scenario would be more acceptable.
Detailed Examples
Example 1: With a Noun
専門家ならいざしらず、素人が医療アドバイスをするのは危険だ。
Senmonka nara iza shirazu, shirouto ga iryō adobaisu wo suru no wa kiken da.
If it were a specialist that would be one thing, but it’s dangerous for amateurs to give medical advice.
Explanation: Here, the speaker acknowledges that medical advice from specialists (専門家) would be acceptable, but contrasts this with the dangerous situation of amateurs giving such advice.
Example 2: With a Verb
趣味でやるのならいざしらず、プロとしてそのレベルの仕事は受け入れられない。
Shumi de yaru no nara iza shirazu, puro toshite sono reberu no shigoto wa ukeirarenaі.
If it were done as a hobby that would be one thing, but that level of work is unacceptable for a professional.
Explanation: The speaker indicates that lower quality work might be acceptable for a hobbyist, but not for someone calling themselves a professional.
Example 3: With an い-Adjective
安いのならいざしらず、高額な商品にこのような欠陥があるのは許せない。
Yasui no nara iza shirazu, kōgaku na shōhin ni kono yō na kekkan ga aru no wa yurusenai.
If it were inexpensive that would be one thing, but I cannot accept such defects in an expensive product.
Explanation: The speaker suggests they might tolerate defects in a cheap product, but finds them unacceptable in an expensive item.
Example 4: With a な-Adjective
重要ならいざしらず、そんな些細な問題で会議を中断するべきではない。
Jūyō nara iza shirazu, sonna sasai na mondai de kaigi o chūdan suru beki dewa nai.
If it were important that would be one thing, but we shouldn’t interrupt the meeting for such a trivial matter.
Explanation: The speaker acknowledges that interrupting a meeting for something important would be acceptable, but not for something trivial.
Example 5: In a Business Context
一度目ならいざしらず、同じミスを繰り返すのは問題だ。
Ichido me nara iza shirazu, onaji misu o kurikaesu no wa mondai da.
If it were the first time that would be one thing, but repeating the same mistake is a problem.
Explanation: The speaker suggests they could tolerate a mistake happening once, but not repeatedly.
Example 6: In an Academic Context
研究目的ならいざしらず、個人的な好奇心でそのような危険な実験を行うべきではない。
Kenkyū mokuteki nara iza shirazu, kojinteki na kōkishin de sono yō na kiken na jikken o okonau beki dewa nai.
If it were for research purposes that would be one thing, but one should not conduct such dangerous experiments out of personal curiosity.
Explanation: The speaker indicates that dangerous experiments might be justified for research purposes, but not merely to satisfy personal curiosity.
Common Patterns and Collocations
This expression is often found with:
- Time references: 昔ならいざしらず (if it were in the past), 初めてならいざしらず (if it were the first time)
- People categories: 子供ならいざしらず (if it were a child), 外国人ならいざしらず (if it were a foreigner)
- Quality descriptors: 高品質ならいざしらず (if it were high quality), 無料ならいざしらず (if it were free)
Similar Expressions
It can be helpful to compare ～ならいざしらず with similar expressions:
| Expression | Meaning | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
| ～はともかく | Putting ~ aside/regardless of ~ | Less formal, more common in daily conversation |
| ～ならまだしも | If it were ~, it would be somewhat acceptable | Similar meaning but slightly less formal |
| ～であればこそ | Precisely because it is ~ | Emphasizes the unique quality that makes something acceptable |
Historical Origin
The expression ～ならいざしらず has classical Japanese roots:
- なら (nara): Conditional form “if it were”
- いざ (iza): Classical Japanese exclamation meaning “now then” or “well then”
- しらず (shirazu): Negative form of 知る (shiru, “to know”), meaning “don’t know” or “can’t say”
Together, these elements create an expression that literally means “if it were X, then I wouldn’t know (i.e., I might accept it or it might be different)”—which evolved into the current meaning of acknowledging one case while rejecting another.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the following sentences using ～ならいざしらず:
- 大人________、子供がこのような難しい問題を解けるとは思えない。
- 一流ホテル________、この値段でこのサービスは受け入れられません。
- 冗談で言った________、真剣な場でそのような発言は不適切だ。
- 短期間________、一年以上もこの状態が続くのは問題だ。
- 自分の意見________、会社の方針として発表するには根拠が足りない。
Answer Key for Exercise 1:
- 大人ならいざしらず、子供がこのような難しい問題を解けるとは思えない。
If it were adults that would be one thing, but I can’t believe children could solve such difficult problems. - 一流ホテルならいざしらず、この値段でこのサービスは受け入れられません。
If it were a luxury hotel that would be one thing, but this service is unacceptable at this price. - 冗談で言ったのならいざしらず、真剣な場でそのような発言は不適切だ。
If it were said as a joke that would be one thing, but such remarks are inappropriate in a serious setting. - 短期間ならいざしらず、一年以上もこの状態が続くのは問題だ。
If it were a short period that would be one thing, but it’s a problem for this situation to continue for over a year. - 自分の意見ならいざしらず、会社の方針として発表するには根拠が足りない。
If it were your personal opinion that would be one thing, but there’s insufficient evidence to announce it as company policy.
Exercise 2: Translation from English to Japanese
Translate the following sentences into Japanese using ～ならいざしらず:
- If it were a weekend that would be one thing, but I can’t take time off during busy weekdays.
- If it were an honest mistake that would be one thing, but this looks intentional.
- If it were a temporary solution that would be one thing, but we need a permanent fix for this problem.
- If it were a small investment that would be one thing, but we can’t risk such a large amount of money.
- If it were a private conversation that would be one thing, but you said it during the company meeting.
Answer Key for Exercise 2:
- 週末ならいざしらず、忙しい平日に休むことはできない。
- 正直な間違いならいざしらず、これは意図的に見える。
- 一時的な解決策ならいざしらず、この問題には恒久的な解決策が必要だ。
- 少額の投資ならいざしらず、そんな大金をリスクにさらすことはできない。
- プライベートな会話ならいざしらず、あなたは会社の会議中にそれを言ったのだ。
Exercise 3: Creating Original Sentences
Create your own sentences using ～ならいざしらず for each of the following situations:
- Criticizing someone’s behavior at a formal event
- Discussing the quality of a product
- Talking about professional responsibilities
- Commenting on academic standards
- Explaining why a business proposal is unreasonable
Sample Answers for Exercise 3:
- 友人の集まりならいざしらず、正式な式典でそのような服装は不適切です。
If it were a gathering of friends that would be one thing, but such attire is inappropriate for a formal ceremony. - 安売り商品ならいざしらず、高級ブランドとしてこの品質は許容できません。
If it were a discount item that would be one thing, but this quality is unacceptable for a luxury brand. - 新入社員ならいざしらず、マネージャーとしてそのような基本的なミスは許されません。
If it were a new employee that would be one thing, but such basic mistakes are unacceptable for a manager. - 高校の論文ならいざしらず、大学院レベルでこの程度の研究は不十分です。
If it were a high school paper that would be one thing, but this level of research is insufficient at the graduate level. - 理想的な状況ならいざしらず、現実の市場条件でそのような利益率は達成不可能です。
If it were an ideal situation that would be one thing, but such profit margins are unattainable under real market conditions.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Incorrect formation with verbs: Remember to use のなら with verbs, not just なら
- Using with positive expectations: This expression is typically used to contrast with a negative or less acceptable scenario, not for positive outcomes
- Casual usage: Using this expression in casual conversation might sound overly formal or stilted
- Incomplete structure: The expression requires both the “acceptable” condition and the contrasting “unacceptable” situation
When to Use ～ならいざしらず
This expression is most appropriate in:
- Business reports and presentations
- Academic papers and discussions
- Formal speeches and debates
- Literary writing
- Professional correspondence
- Formal discussions where you want to acknowledge one condition while emphasizing your concern with another
Conclusion
Mastering the ～ならいざしらず pattern will significantly enhance your formal Japanese language skills. This expression allows you to create sophisticated rhetorical contrasts and demonstrate nuanced thinking in Japanese. As with many N1 level grammar patterns, practice is key—try incorporating this expression into your formal writing and speaking to become more comfortable with its usage.
Remember that this expression carries a relatively formal tone, so it’s more appropriate for business, academic, or literary contexts rather than casual conversations.
Keep practicing with the exercises above and look for examples of this pattern in Japanese news articles, business reports, and literary works to develop a stronger feel for its natural usage.
頑張ってください！(Good luck!)
