GRAMMAR
〜どころか
far from
anything but
Explanation
NOTE
〜どころか means far from X or not only X but even Y. It strongly contradicts an expectation — the actual outcome is the opposite or even more extreme than what was assumed.
彼は助けてくれるどころか、邪魔をした。
Far from helping me, he got in the way.
This grammar point is used to state that the reality is the complete opposite of what might be expected.
NOTE
The clause before どころか sets up the expectation; the second clause presents the extreme reality. どころか can follow verbs (dictionary form), adjectives, or nouns directly.
休憩どころか、食事する時間もなかった。
Far from taking a break, there wasn't even time to eat.
Used here to emphasize that a certain condition (a break) was impossible, and even a more basic need (eating) wasn't met.
STRUCTURE
V辞
どころか楽になるどころか、もっと大変になった。
Raku ni naru dokoro ka, motto taihen ni natta.
Far from becoming easier, it became even harder.
謝るどころか、怒り出した。
Ayamaru dokoro ka, okori dashita.
Far from apologizing, he started getting angry.
痩せるどころか、体重が増えた。
Yaseru dokoro ka, taijuu ga fueta.
Far from losing weight, I gained weight.
STRUCTURE
N辞
どころか休憩どころか、食事する時間もなかった。
Kyuukei dokoro ka, shokuji suru jikan mo nakatta.
Far from taking a break, there wasn't even time to eat.
お礼どころか、文句を言われた。
Orei dokoro ka, monku o iwareta.
Far from receiving thanks, I was complained at.
褒美どころか、叱られた。
Houbi dokoro ka, shikarare ta.
Far from a reward, I was scolded.
Practice exercises
1
安いどころか、とても高かった。
Far from being cheap, it was very expensive.
Answer
どころか
2
楽になるどころか、もっと大変になった。
Far from becoming easier, it became even harder.
Answer
どころか
3
休憩どころか、食事する時間もなかった。
Far from taking a break, there wasn't even time to eat.
Answer
どころか
4
感謝されるどころか、激しく批判された。
Far from being thanked, I was harshly criticized.
Answer
どころか
5
治るどころか、悪化した。
Far from getting better, it got worse.
Answer
どころか
6
嬉しいどころか、悲しかった。
Far from being happy, I was sad.
Answer
どころか
7
減るどころか、もっと増えた。
Far from decreasing, it increased even more.
Answer
どころか
8
褒美どころか、叱られた。
Far from a reward, I was scolded.
Answer
どころか
9
合格どころか、受験すらできなかった。
Far from passing, I couldn't even take the exam.
Answer
どころか
10
感謝どころか、文句を言われた。
Far from gratitude, I was complained at.
Answer
どころか
11
風邪が治るどころか、もっとひどくなった。
Far from recovering from the cold, it got even worse.
Answer
どころか
12
風邪が治るどころか、もっとひどくなった。
Far from recovering from the cold, it got even worse.
Answer
どころか