Translation guide
The English phrase 'set aside' has several distinct meanings: to save or reserve something for later, to disregard or ignore something temporarily, to overturn a legal decision, and to allocate time or money. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each use.
To keep something (money, time, an object) for a specific future purpose.
The most common and versatile way to say 'set aside' in the sense of keeping something for later. Used for both physical objects and abstract things like time or money.
明日のためにお金を取っておく。
I'll set aside some money for tomorrow.
この席を取っておいてください。
Please set aside this seat.
Literally 'leave remaining'. Emphasizes not using or consuming something now so it remains available. Often used for food, resources, or portions.
明日の朝ごはんのために少し残しておく。
I'll set aside a little for tomorrow's breakfast.
Means 'to secure' or 'to reserve'. More formal than 取っておく. Often used for resources, time slots, or budgets in business contexts.
会議室を確保しておいてください。
Please set aside a meeting room.
Specifically means to store up or accumulate, often for future use. Commonly used for money (savings) or supplies. More deliberate than 取っておく.
老後のために蓄える。
Set aside for retirement.
To put aside a feeling, difference, or issue in order to focus on something else.
Literally 'put to the side'. A natural metaphor for setting aside abstract things like emotions, opinions, or problems temporarily.
個人的な感情は脇に置いて、仕事に集中しよう。
Let's set aside personal feelings and focus on work.
Literally 'put on the shelf'. Means to shelve or postpone a matter indefinitely. Often used for unresolved issues or decisions.
その問題は棚上げにされた。
That issue was set aside.
A conjunction meaning 'setting aside' or 'apart from'. Used to introduce a new topic after dismissing the previous one. Often used in the pattern AはさておきB.
冗談はさておき、本題に入ろう。
Joking aside, let's get down to business.
Means 'to ignore'. Stronger than 'set aside' and can sound rude if used for people. Use carefully; often better to use 脇に置く for temporary disregard.
Can be too strong; implies deliberate disregard rather than temporary postponement.
彼の意見は無視された。
His opinion was set aside (ignored).
To annul or reverse a previous ruling or verdict.
The standard legal term for overturning a lower court's decision. Used in formal legal contexts.
最高裁はその判決を破棄した。
The Supreme Court set aside the ruling.
Means 'to cancel' or 'to revoke'. Can be used for decisions, orders, or contracts. Less technical than 破棄する but still formal.
裁判所は命令を取り消した。
The court set aside the order.
To designate a specific amount of time or money for a particular purpose.
Literally 'to split time'. Means to make time for something despite a busy schedule. Very natural for setting aside time.
毎日運動する時間を割くのは難しい。
It's hard to set aside time to exercise every day.
Means 'to allocate a budget'. Used when setting aside money in a formal plan or budget.
新プロジェクトに予算を組んだ。
We set aside a budget for the new project.
Means 'to allocate' or 'to devote'. Used for assigning resources like time, money, or people to a specific purpose.
Both mean 'to set aside for later', but 取っておく emphasizes actively keeping something for a purpose, while 残しておく emphasizes leaving a portion unused. 取っておく is more common for general 'saving'.
このケーキは明日まで取っておく。
I'll save this cake for tomorrow.
明日のためにケーキを少し残しておく。
I'll leave some cake for tomorrow.
Avoid directly translating 'set aside' as 置いておく (to put and leave) for abstract meanings. It sounds unnatural. Use 脇に置く for disregarding, or 取っておく for reserving.
Set aside a portion of income for savings.