Noun はいざ知らず (~ wa iza shirazu)
Explanation
‘I can understand it for ~, but for …? (surprising)’
Formation
Noun + はいざ知らず, Noun + とは/なんて/しかし etc.
Detailed Explanation
The はいざ知らず grammar point is used when contrasting two scenarios: the first being understandable, and the second being unexpected or surprising by comparison. It often translates as “Well, for A, I can understand, but for B…?!”
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 to wa 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 aisukuriimu o taberu no wa samusugimasen ka?
I can see eating ice cream in summer, but in 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 to wa 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 working hard in tough times, but to do so even in normal times is impressive.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.