Japanese Grammar "No time for..." (~dokoro dewa nai)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {どころではない|dokoro dewa nai} to express that a situation is too chaotic or urgent to focus on something else.
- Attach to nouns: {試験|しけん}どころではない (Not the time for exams).
- Attach to dictionary form verbs: {遊ぶ|あそぶ}どころではない (Not the time to be playing).
- Implies a higher priority issue exists: {忙しい|いそがしい}ので、テレビどころではない (I'm busy, so it's not the time for TV).
Overview
The grammar pattern 〜どころではない (or 〜どころじゃない in casual speech) is an essential B2-level expression used to convey that one is in no position, state, or situation to do something. It signifies a powerful, subjective sense of impossibility driven by overwhelming circumstances. This pattern goes far beyond a simple "I can't"; it implies that the very idea of performing the action is absurd or unthinkable due to external pressures like a looming deadline, a personal crisis, or extreme stress.
Its core meaning is, "This is absolutely not the time or situation for X."
For example, if you're preparing for a critical exam, you wouldn't just say you can't go to a party. You would use this pattern to emphasize the sheer inappropriateness of the idea: 試験が近くて、パーティーに行くどころではない。 ({Shiken ga chikakute, pātī ni iku dokoro dewa nai.}) — "With the exam so close, going to a party is out of the question." This immediately communicates that your mental and temporal resources are completely consumed by a more pressing matter. Mastering 〜どころではない allows you to express nuanced levels of inability and social justification, a key skill for upper-intermediate learners.
How This Grammar Works
どころ, a particle derived from 所 (place, situation, state), and the negative copula ではない (is not). While 所 literally means "place," its function here is metaphorical, referring to a conceptual "space" or "locus" where an action is appropriate. The pattern, therefore, literally asserts, "This is not the proper situation/state for [Action/Noun]."どころ is a fusion of 所 and the emphatic particle か. In modern Japanese, this か has lost its interrogative sense and instead adds a strong rhetorical force, almost like saying "...of all things!" or "as if!" So, Xどころではない carries the underlying feeling of "As if this is the time for X! It's not." This structure fundamentally shifts the focus of inability from personal skill to external context.泳げない ({oyogenai}) means "I can't swim" (a lack of skill). In contrast, 台風で波が高くて、泳ぐどころではない ({Taifū de nami ga takakute, oyogu dokoro dewa nai}) means "The waves are high from the typhoon, so this is no time to swim." You might be an Olympic swimmer, but the situation dictates the impossibility of the action.Formation Pattern
どころではない must be an activity or concept that can be deemed possible or impossible based on the situation.
Noun + どころではない | 勉強どころではない。 | The abstract concept (studying) is out of the question. |
Verb (辞書形) + どころではない | 休むどころではない。 | The action of resting as a whole is impossible. |
Verb (〜ている形) + どころではない | 休んでいるどころではない。 | Emphasizes you cannot be in the process of resting. |
〜ている form adds a layer of immediacy, suggesting you should be doing something else instead of continuing the specified action. For instance, テレビを見ているどころじゃないよ！宿題しなさい！ ({Terebi o miteiru dokoro ja nai yo! Shukudai shinasai!}) — "This is no time to be watching TV! Do your homework!"
〜どころではございません | Used with clients or high-ranking superiors. |
〜どころではありません | Standard polite speech with strangers, colleagues, or superiors. |
〜どころじゃない | Used with friends, family, and close colleagues. |
申し訳ございませんが、現在、緊急の案件を抱えており、お手伝いするどころではございません。 ({Mōshiwake gozaimasen ga, genzai, kinkyū no anken o kakaete ori, otetsudai suru dokoro dewa gozaimasen.}) — "I sincerely apologize, but I am currently handling an urgent matter and am in no position to help."
When To Use It
〜どころではない in situations where a simple refusal is insufficient. It's used to provide a strong, implicit justification rooted in your current circumstances.仕事が山積していて、週末は遊びに行くどころじゃないんだ。 ({Shigoto ga sanseki shiteite, shūmatsu wa asobi ni iku dokoro ja nai n da.}) — "I've got a mountain of work, so going out for fun this weekend is out of the question."近所で火事があったのに、のんきに音楽を聴いているどころではないでしょう。 ({Kinjo de kaji ga atta noni, nonki ni ongaku o kiiteiru dokoro dewa nai deshō.}) — "There was a fire in the neighborhood, so this is hardly the time to be casually listening to music, right?"財布を{なくした}ばかりで、新しい服を買うどころじゃない。 ({Saifu o nakushita bakari de, atarashii fuku o kau dokoro ja nai.}) — "I just lost my wallet, so I'm in no state to be buying new clothes."宝くじで3億円も当たった！もう働くどころじゃないね！ ({Takarakuji de san'okuen mo atatta! Mō hataraku dokoro ja nai ne!}) — "I won 300 million yen in the lottery! This is no time for work anymore!"Common Mistakes
- 1Confusing Circumstantial Impossibility with Lack of SkillThis is the most critical error.
〜どころではないnever refers to a lack of inherent ability. It always points to a situational barrier.
私は数学が苦手で、この問題を解くどころではない。 ({Watashi wa sūgaku ga nigate de, kono mondai o toku dokoro dewa nai.})私は数学が苦手で、この問題が解けない。 ({Watashi wa sūgaku ga nigate de, kono mondai ga tokenai.}) — "I'm bad at math and can't solve this problem."試験終了まであと1分しかないので、この問題をじっくり考えるどころではない。 ({Shiken shūryō made ato ippun shika nai node, kono mondai o jikkuri kangaeru dokoro dewa nai.}) — "There's only one minute left in the exam, so this is no time to think carefully about this problem." (The circumstance is lack of time).- 1Using it for Minor Inconveniences
〜どころではないcarries significant weight. Using it for trivial matters sounds overly dramatic and weakens its impact when you need it for serious situations.
雨が降ってきたから、洗濯物を干すどころじゃない。 ({Ame ga futtekita kara, sentakumono o hosu dokoro ja nai.})雨が降ってきたから、洗濯物は干せない。 ({Ame ga futtekita kara, sentakumono wa hosenai.}) — "It started raining, so I can't hang the laundry."- 1Incorrect Particle UsageNouns and verbs attach directly to
どころではない. Do not place particles likeをorがimmediately beforeどころ.
お金がなくて、旅行をどころではない。 ({Okane ga nakute, ryokō o dokoro dewa nai.})お金がなくて、旅行どころではない。 ({Okane ga nakute, ryokō dokoro dewa nai.}) — "I have no money, so travel is out of the question."Real Conversations
You'll hear 〜どころではない frequently in natural, everyday conversations where people discuss the pressures of life.
Scenario 1
A
週末、映画でも観に行かない？ ({Shūmatsu, eiga demo mi ni ikanai?})(Want to go see a movie or something this weekend?)B
ごめん！来週から期末テストで、今はそれどころじゃないんだ…。 ({Gomen! Raishū kara kimatsu tesuto de, ima wa sore dokoro ja nai n da...})(Sorry! I have final exams starting next week, so right now is not the time for that...)Scenario 2
A
鈴木さん、ちょっと休憩しませんか？ ({Suzuki-san, chotto kyūkei shimasen ka?})(Suzuki-san, won't you take a short break?)B
ありがとう。でも、このレポート、今日が締め切りだから、休憩するどころじゃないんだ。 ({Arigatō. Demo, kono repōto, kyō ga shimekiri da kara, kyūkei suru dokoro ja nai n da.})(Thanks. But the deadline for this report is today, so I'm in no position to take a break.)Scenario 3
息子が生まれてから1ヶ月。正直、寝るどころではない毎日だけど、本当に幸せ。 ({Musuko ga umarete kara ikkagetsu. Shōjiki, neru dokoro dewa nai mainichi da kedo, hontō ni shiawase.})(It's been one month since my son was born. Honestly, every day is a "no time to sleep" kind of day, but I'm truly happy.)
Quick FAQ
〜どころではない with adjectives?静かどころではない ({shizuka dokoro dewa nai}).静かにしている場合ではない ({shizuka ni shiteiru baai dewa nai}), which means "This is not the occasion to be quiet." The 〜どころではない pattern is specifically about the infeasibility of doing something.〜どころではない always have a negative feeling?それは大変ですね。({Sore wa taihen desu ne.}) — "That sounds tough."無理しないでくださいね。({Muri shinaide kudasai ne.}) — "Please don't overdo it."何か手伝えることはありますか？({Nani ka tetsudaeru koto wa arimasu ka?}) — "Is there anything I can do to help?"
〜どころではございません is grammatically correct, it can sound very direct and slightly personal, as if you're highlighting your own state of being overwhelmed. In many business contexts, especially with clients, it is more professional to use softer, more indirect language.申し訳ございませんが、{ただいま}他の業務で手が離せません。 ({Mōshiwake gozaimasen ga, tadaima hoka no gyōmu de te ga hanasemasen.}) — "I apologize, but I am unable to step away from other tasks at the moment."どころではない?所 is typically pronounced with a 頭高 accent, meaning the pitch is high on the first mora and falls on the following ones: トころ (HLL). This accent is usually retained in どころではない. Therefore, どころ is pronounced ドころ (HLL).どころ part follows this pattern. For example, 仕事どころじゃない ({shigoto dokoro ja nai}) would have the pitch しごと (LHH) followed by どころじゃない (HLLLL), creating a flow like LHH-HLLLL.Formation Table
| Base | Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Noun
|
Noun + どころではない
|
試験どころではない
|
Not the time for exams
|
|
Verb (Dict)
|
Verb + どころではない
|
寝るどころではない
|
Not the time to sleep
|
|
Past
|
Noun + どころではなかった
|
仕事どころではなかった
|
Wasn't the time for work
|
|
Negative
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Polite
|
Noun + どころではありません
|
食事どころではありません
|
Not the time for a meal (polite)
|
|
Casual
|
Noun + どころじゃない
|
遊びどころじゃない
|
Not the time for playing (casual)
|
Meanings
Indicates that the current situation is too serious, urgent, or distracting to engage in the mentioned activity.
Urgency/Crisis
The situation is too dire to consider the action.
“{地震|じしん}で{食事|しょくじ}どころではない。”
“{仕事|しごと}が{山積|やまづみ}で{休む|やすむ}どころではない。”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative (Polite)
|
Noun + どころではありません
|
会議どころではありません
|
|
Affirmative (Casual)
|
Noun + どころじゃない
|
会議どころじゃない
|
|
Verb (Dict)
|
Verb + どころではない
|
走るどころではない
|
|
Past (Polite)
|
Noun + どころではありませんでした
|
仕事どころではありませんでした
|
|
Past (Casual)
|
Noun + どころじゃなかった
|
仕事どころじゃなかった
|
|
Negative (Polite)
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
Question
|
Noun + どころですか？
|
旅行どころですか？
|
|
Short Answer
|
Noun + どころではない
|
今はそれどころではない
|
Formality Spectrum
仕事どころではありません。 (Workplace)
仕事どころではないです。 (Workplace)
仕事どころじゃない。 (Workplace)
仕事どころじゃねえ。 (Workplace)
Situational Urgency
Health
- 病気 Sickness
Work
- 締め切り Deadline
Emergency
- 火事 Fire
Examples by Level
{今|いま}は{勉強|べんきょう}どころではない。
This is not the time for studying.
{遊|あそ}ぶどころではない。
This is not the time to be playing.
{食事|しょくじ}どころではない。
This is not the time for a meal.
{話|はなし}どころではない。
This is not the time to talk.
{仕事|しごと}が{忙|いそが}しくて、{映画|えいが}どころではない。
I'm so busy with work, it's not the time for movies.
{風邪|かぜ}で{旅行|りょこう}どころではない。
Because of my cold, it's not the time for a trip.
{試験|しけん}の{前|まえ}で{テレビ|てれび}どころではない。
Before the exam, it's not the time for TV.
{彼|かれ}は{怒|おこ}っていて{冗談|じょうだん}どころではない。
He is angry, so it's not the time for jokes.
{家|いえ}が{火事|かじ}で{荷物|にもつ}どころではない。
The house is on fire, so it's not the time for luggage.
{会社|かいしゃ}の{危機|きき}で{給料|きゅうりょう}どころではない。
Due to the company crisis, it's not the time for salary talks.
{大雨|おおあめ}で{外出|がいしゅつ}どころではない。
Due to heavy rain, it's not the time to go out.
{準備|じゅんび}で{休憩|きゅうけい}どころではない。
Due to preparations, it's not the time for a break.
{経済|けいざい}の{混乱|こんらん}で{投資|とうし}どころではない。
Due to economic chaos, it's not the time for investment.
{家族|かぞく}の{問題|もんだい}で{仕事|しごと}どころではない。
Due to family issues, it's not the time for work.
{緊急|きんきゅう}の{手術|しゅじゅつ}で{面会|めんかい}どころではない。
Due to emergency surgery, it's not the time for visits.
{混乱|こんらん}していて{説明|せつめい}どころではない。
It's so chaotic, it's not the time for explanations.
{国家|こっか}の{存亡|そんぼう}で{些細|ささい}な{議論|ぎろん}どころではない。
Due to the survival of the nation, it's not the time for trivial debates.
{災害|さいがい}の{後|あと}で{復旧|ふっきゅう}以外{いがい}の{こと|こと}どころではない。
After the disaster, it's not the time for anything other than recovery.
{精神的|せいしんてき}に{疲弊|ひへい}していて{社交|しゃこう}どころではない。
Mentally exhausted, it's not the time for socializing.
{技術的|ぎじゅつてき}な{欠陥|けっかん}で{発売|はつばい}どころではない。
Due to technical flaws, it's not the time for a release.
{極限|きょくげん}の{状況|じょうきょう}で{倫理|りんり}どころではない。
In extreme conditions, it's not the time for ethics.
{歴史的|れきしてき}な{転換期|てんかんき}で{現状維持|げんじょういじ}どころではない。
In a historical turning point, it's not the time for maintaining the status quo.
{絶望的|ぜつぼうてき}な{状況|じょうきょう}で{希望|きぼう}どころではない。
In a desperate situation, it's not the time for hope.
{崩壊|ほうかい}の{危機|きき}で{細部|さいぶ}の{修正|しゅうせい}どころではない。
In a crisis of collapse, it's not the time for minor corrections.
Easily Confused
Both involve negation.
Both express impossibility.
Both use 'dokoro'.
Common Mistakes
忙しいどころではない
忙しいので、〜どころではない
食べるのどころではない
食べるどころではない
食べたどころではない
食べるどころではない
勉強どころじゃないです
勉強どころではありません
暇どころではない
暇ではない
寝るのどころではない
寝るどころではない
忙しいから、映画どころじゃない
忙しくて、映画どころじゃない
仕事どころではなかったです
仕事どころではありませんでした
行くどころではない
行くどころではない (Correct, but check context)
勉強どころではないだ
勉強どころではない
議論どころではないだ
議論どころではない
復旧どころではない
復旧どころではない (Context check)
社交どころではないです
社交どころではありません
修正どころではない
修正どころではない (Context check)
Sentence Patterns
今は___どころではない。
___ので、___どころではない。
___どころではなかった。
状況が深刻で、___どころではない。
Real World Usage
ごめん、今それどころじゃない！
今は会議どころではありません。
試験前でSNSどころじゃない。
その件については、今は議論どころではありません。
電車が止まっていて、観光どころじゃない。
忙しすぎて、食事どころじゃない。
Use for Crises
Check the Form
Add 'Ima wa'
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use the polite form '〜ではありません'.
Use 'te-form' to connect the reason.
Use 'Ima wa' at the start.
Conjugate the 'nai' to 'nakatta'.
Pronunciation
Rhythm
Ensure 'dokoro' is pronounced clearly as four morae.
Falling
どころではない↓
Emphasis on the impossibility.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'dokoro' as 'place'. You are not in the 'place' to do that action because you are in the 'place' of a crisis.
Visual Association
Imagine a person trying to read a book while a tornado is behind them. The book is the action, the tornado is the situation.
Rhyme
When the situation is a mess, 'dokoro dewa nai' is the best.
Story
Ken was invited to a party. But his cat got sick. He told his friend, 'I'm sorry, cat-sick-dokoro-dewa-nai!' He had to stay home.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about things you cannot do right now because you are studying Japanese.
Cultural Notes
Used to politely decline requests by citing a 'situation' without being too blunt.
Used to express extreme stress or shock.
Used in news or official reports to describe the scale of a crisis.
Derived from 'dokoro' (place/point) and 'dewa nai' (is not).
Conversation Starters
今、忙しいですか？
旅行に行きませんか？
試験の準備はどうですか？
今の状況をどう思いますか？
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
今は勉強___ではない。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
忙しいどころではない。
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
It is not the time for jokes.
Answer starts with: a...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
When to use this?
会議___ではありません。
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises今は勉強___ではない。
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
忙しいどころではない。
旅行 / どころ / ではない / 今は
It is not the time for jokes.
Crisis -> ?
When to use this?
会議___ではありません。
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesお{腹|なか}が痛くて、______どころじゃありませんでした。
Organize the words to say: 'It's raining so hard, it's no time for a picnic.'
I have no money, so a date is out of the question.
Match the cause to the appropriate どころではない result.
A: 「明日、ディズニー行かない？」 B: 「ごめん、明日はレポートの締め切りで、______。」
笑ったどころではない状況だ。
ただいまトラブルの対応中でして、休憩______。
Organize to say: 'My smartphone screen broke, so checking Instagram is out of the question.'
二日酔いで、仕事どころではなかった。
Which of these cannot connect to どころではない?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it's for crises.
It can be both.
No, use a noun or verb.
Use 'isogashii'.
Yes, it's a negative expression.
Yes, 'dokoro dewa nakatta'.
Yes, very.
No, avoid it.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
No es el momento para...
Spanish is more flexible with adjectives.
Ce n'est pas le moment de...
French uses 'de' + infinitive.
Das ist nicht der richtige Zeitpunkt für...
German requires a noun phrase.
〜状況ではない
Dokoro dewa nai is more emotive.
ليس الوقت المناسب لـ...
Arabic is less idiomatic.
不是...的时候
Chinese lacks the 'crisis' nuance.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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