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Formation: V-dictionary / V-ている / N + どころではない

Says that circumstances are too pressing or serious for X. There is no time, money or peace of mind for it, so X is out of the question. It often carries a sense of urgency or exasperation, and the reason usually comes first (忙しくて, 地震の後). A related use stresses degree: 痛いどころではない means 'painful isn't the word for it', so the reality goes far beyond X. You will meet どころではない in writing and どころじゃない in conversation. Do not confuse it with 〜どころか: that pattern links two clauses ('far from X, actually Y'), while どころではない ends the sentence and rules X out. It also differs from 〜てはいられない, which means 'can't afford to keep doing' something you are already doing.

Variants: どころじゃない、どころではなかった、どころではありません、どころの話ではない、どころの騒ぎではない

Examples

• 仕事が忙しくて、旅行どころではない。
  Work is so busy that a trip is out of the question.
• 明日が締め切りなので、飲みに行くどころじゃない。
  The deadline is tomorrow, so going out drinking is out of the question.
• 地震の直後で、町は観光どころではなかった。
  Right after the earthquake, the town was in no state for tourism.

In real texts 0 occurrence(s)

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