〜どころではない~dokoro dewa nai
Dokoro dewa nai (〜どころではない) means “in no position to; far from”.
At first, far from enjoying the conversation, I didn't even know what to say.
Use 〜どころではない when circumstances leave you no room to consider or do something, not simply because you lack desire.
In the course
How it works
With preparations piled high, can you really relax? The cross in the picture shows there is no room for rest at all.
Use this pattern when you are so busy or the situation is so bad that you cannot even consider doing something.
The point is that circumstances do not allow it, rather than a lack of desire. It stresses your situation more than simply saying you will not do it.
Nervousness can also keep you from enjoying a relaxed cup of tea. Even with tea available, you may have no mental room to relax.
Attach 「どころではない」 to a verb in its dictionary form, as in the picture’s 「休むどころではない」.
You can also attach 「どころではない」 directly to a noun: right now, you are in no position to deal with that thing.
「どころじゃない」 has the same meaning and is more conversational; using 「ではありません」 makes it more polite.
In the example, 「じゃなくて」 connects to what follows: the speaker explains that they did not even know what to say.
Example sentences
- 最初saishoはwa会話kaiwaをo楽しむtanoshimuどころdokoroじゃなくjanakuて、te、何naniをo話せhanase
In a conversation
- 世代交流の茶話会はどうでしたか。打ち解けることができましたか。
How was the intergenerational tea party? Were you able to blend in?
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
At first, I was in no position to enjoy the conversation and didn't even know what to say.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
最初は会話を楽しむ____（「じゃ」の形）、何を話せばいいか分かりませんでした。
At first, I couldn't even enjoy the conversation, and I didn't know what to talk about.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜どころではないin no position to; far from