How to tell them apart
どころか contrasts an expectation with a much lower reality, showing that even a basic level is not met (本を読むどころか、新聞も読まない). どころではない rejects a suggestion outright because the situation makes it impossible or unthinkable, often as a response (それどころじゃない). The former compares two levels; the latter dismisses an idea due to circumstances.
- どころか Use どころか when you want to say things are far below expectations, not even reaching a basic level.
- どころではない Use どころではない when rejecting a suggestion because the situation makes it impossible or unthinkable.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| どころか dokoroka | far from; on the contrary; let alone | N3 |
| どころではない dokorodehanai | not at all ~; the opposite of ~ is true | N2 |
どころか dokoroka
far from; on the contrary; let alone
どころか rejects what was just said or expected and states the opposite, often something more extreme. It follows plain-form verbs and i-adjectives, na-adjectives and nouns with な, and appears as それどころか when standing alone to contradict a previous statement.
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彼は金持ちではない。それどころか、彼は借金だらけだ。
He is not rich. On the contrary, he is deep in debt.
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彼女はそのことで喜んでいるどころか、とても怒っている。
She is far from being pleased about it and she is very angry.
どころではない dokorodehanai
not at all ~; the opposite of ~ is true
どころではない denies an idea emphatically, meaning something is far from being the case. It follows a noun, as in 幸福どころではない, and can also stand alone as それどころではない to reject what was just said.
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私は怒ってなどいない、それどころではない。
I am not angry, far from it.
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あの女の子は内気どころではない。
That girl is far from being shy.
どころか and どころではない are JLPT N3–N2 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.