Regardless, exclusion and degree

～どころではない

not the time or situation for; far from being able to

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How to form it

  • Verb (dictionary form) + どころではない
  • Noun + どころではない

Register: Neutral

Explanation

Says that the situation is too serious or busy for you to do something.

Often follows a reason (忙しくて, 風邪で). It expresses the speaker's lack of mental or physical space.

Examples

  1. 忙しくて、遊びに行くどころではない。

    いそがしくて、あそびにいくどころではない。

    I'm so busy that I can't think of going out to play.

  2. 今は旅行どころではない。

    いまはりょこうどころではない。

    This is no time for a trip.

  3. 風邪で、勉強どころじゃなかった。

    かぜで、べんきょうどころじゃなかった。

    I had a cold, so studying was out of the question.

Compare with

  • ～どころか: どころか states the opposite of an expectation; どころではない says that there is no room for the activity.

Common mistakes

  • Using it for plain refusals. It implies a pressing situation.