どころではない

Not the Time for

Level 4Sounds Like dokorodehanai

どころではない (or casual どころじゃない) means 'not the time for' or 'far from being able to.' It indicates that a current situation is so overwhelming that you have no mental or physical leeway to do anything else.

How It Works

The pattern どころではない is a strong expression used when circumstances prevent you from doing something you might otherwise do. It is more intense than a simple negative like 〜ない.

1. Lack of Leeway (Primary Use):
It describes a situation where you are so busy, sick, or stressed that a specific activity is 'out of the question.'
Example: 'I'm so busy with work, I'm in no position to go on vacation.'

2. Extreme Degree (Secondary Use):
It can also mean 'far beyond' or 'not just.' It emphasizes that the reality is much more intense than the word used.
Example: 'It's not just hot; it's boiling!'

3. Common Set Phrase:
The phrase それどころではない (or the casual それどころじゃない) is extremely common. It means 'That is out of the question' or 'I'm in no position to think about that right now,' referring back to a previous suggestion or situation.

Morphology:
It attaches directly to the plain form of words without adding particles like da or na:

  • Nouns: 仕事（しごと）どころではない (Not the time for work)
  • Verbs (Dictionary/Progressive): 遊ぶ（あそぶ）どころではない / 遊んでいる（あそんでいる）どころではない (Not the time to be playing)
  • い-Adjectives: 忙しい（いそがしい）どころではない (Beyond busy)
  • な-Adjectives: 静か（しずか）どころではない (Far from quiet)

Register:
In polite speech, use どころではありません. In daily conversation, the casual どころじゃない is extremely common.

Examples (5)

  1. 仕事が忙しくて、旅行どころではない。

    I'm so busy with work, a trip is out of the question.

    Word by Word: Work (subject) being busy, travel (not the time for).

    The speaker has no time or mental energy for a vacation because of their workload.

  2. 風邪がひどくて、勉強どころじゃないよ。

    My cold is so bad, I'm in no condition to study.

    Word by Word: Cold (subject) being terrible, study (not the time for).

    The physical state of having a bad cold makes studying impossible to consider.

  3. 今は遊んでいるどころじゃない。試験まであと三日だ。

    Now is not the time to be playing. There are only three days left until the exam.

    Word by Word: Now (topic) playing (not the time for). Exam until remaining 3 days is.

    The urgency of the upcoming exam removes the possibility of leisure time.

  4. このプロジェクトは、大変どころではない。不可能に近い。

    This project isn't just difficult; it's nearly impossible.

    Word by Word: This project (topic), tough (far beyond). Impossible to close.

    Here, the pattern is used to show an extreme degree—it's not just 'tough,' it's much worse.

  5. 貯金がゼロだから、新しい車どころではないよ。

    My savings are at zero, so a new car is out of the question.

    Word by Word: Savings (subject) zero because, new car (not the time for).

    Financial circumstances make the purchase of a car impossible.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding 'da' or 'na' before the pattern when using nouns or na-adjectives.

    仕事だどころではない。
    仕事どころではない。

    Unlike many other grammar points, you attach どころではない directly to the noun without the copula だ.

  • Confusing it with 'dokoro ka' (far from/let alone).

    彼は天才どころではない、馬鹿だ。
    彼は天才どころか、馬鹿だ。

    どころか is used for contrast ('far from A, it is actually B'), while どころではない focuses on the impossibility of a situation due to lack of leeway.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

どころではないLevel 4Not the Time for

Learn This First

To understand 'dokoro de wa nai', you need to recognize that 'dokoro' (a point or situation) is being negated by 'de wa nai'. This creates the meaning that the current situation is far from the state described, or that it is not the appropriate time for it. Knowledge of how to modify nouns with verbs (like 'asonde iru dokoro') is essential.

Words in This Pattern

どころではないどころ