Japatan
Formation
- N + どころか
- なA(語幹) + どころか
- いA + どころか
- V普通形 + どころか
Explanation
Two uses. (1) "Far from ~": the actual result is the opposite of what was expected (it got worse instead of better). (2) A どころか B も: "not only A, but not even B" — B is something easier or more basic, often marked with も or さえ. Both show surprise or dissatisfaction.
Examples
薬を飲んだのに、風邪は 治るどころか、ますますひどくなった。
I took medicine, but far from getting better, my cold got worse and worse.
予約したホテルは静かどころか、一晩中外の車の音がうるさかった。
Far from being quiet, the hotel I booked was noisy with traffic all night.
セールだと聞いて行ったが、安いどころか、ふだんより高かった。
I went because I heard there was a sale, but far from being cheap, things were more expensive than usual.
兄は忙しくて、旅行どころか週末に休むこともできない。
My brother is so busy he can't even rest on weekends, let alone go on a trip.
Notes
In use (1), what follows is the opposite of the expectation. In use (2), when the sentence is negative (B も〜ない), B should be easier or more basic than A. ばかりか simply adds in the same direction and lacks the "opposite" meaning of use (1).
Related grammar
Mini quiz
1夕方になっても、雨はやむ（ ）、ますます強くなってきた。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 3 どころか
"Even in the evening, far from stopping, the rain grew heavier." The result is the opposite of the expectation, so どころか fits.
2日本に来たばかりのころは、漢字（ ）ひらがなも読めなかった。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 1 どころか
"When I had just come to Japan, I couldn't even read hiragana, let alone kanji." This is the A どころか B も pattern.
3彼は料理が得意だと言っていたが、＿＿ ＿＿ ＿★＿ ＿＿ できなかった。
Answer and explanation
Answer: 2 卵を焼く
Order: 3→4→2→1. "He said he was good at cooking, but far from being good, he couldn't even fry an egg." The ★ is 卵を焼く.
