JLPT N1 grammar

〜ならいざ知らずmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. I don't know about A, but B
  2. It may be possible for A, but B

How to form it

  • nounならいざ知らず
  • verb (plain form)/い-adjectiveのならいざ知らず
  • nounはいざ知らず

How it is used

'I don't know about A (or A might be excused), but B': A is set apart as a special case; B usually criticises or expresses surprise. Bookish; speech tends to use 「〜ならともかく」.

Examples

  1. １００年前ならいざ知らず、今はそんな話は聞いたことがない。

    I don't know about 100 years ago, but I've never heard of such a story now (these days).

  2. ほかの人はいざ知らず、私はこの案には賛成できない。

    I can't speak for anyone else, but I can't agree with this plan.

  3. 知らなかったのならいざ知らず、分かっていて遅れるのは困る。

    If you hadn't known, it would be different, but being late when you knew is a problem.