〜どころか

Far from...; Not only... but also...

1. Overview

「〜どころか」 is a grammatical structure used to express that something is far from a certain expectation or situation, often leading to a stronger or more extreme statement. It indicates that not only does the situation not meet a standard, but it is actually much worse or different than anticipated.

2. Structure

• Verb (plain form) + どころか
• Adjective (plain form) + どころか
• Noun + どころか

3. Usage Explanation

• Indicating Contrast:
  This structure is used to highlight a significant contrast between what is expected and the actual situation, often used to correct a misconception or to emphasize a stronger reality.

• Emphasizing Extremity:
  It emphasizes that the reality is not just different, but significantly more serious or surprising than what was previously suggested.

• English Translation:
  It can be translated as "far from...", "not only...", or "rather than...".

4. Example Sentences

1. 彼は遅刻どころか、会議に来ていない。
   Far from being late, he hasn't even come to the meeting.

2. お金がないどころか、借金まである。
   Not only do I not have money, but I am also in debt.

3. その映画は面白いどころか、つまらなかった。
   That movie was far from interesting; it was boring.

4. 彼女は日本語が話せるどころか、流暢に話せる。
   Not only can she speak Japanese, but she speaks it fluently.

5. 夏は暑いどころか、異常に暑かった。
   The summer was far from just hot; it was unusually hot.

5. Key Points to Note

• Stronger Emphasis:
  「〜どころか」 is often used to correct a misunderstanding or to draw attention to an extreme situation, making it a powerful structure in arguments or discussions.

• Conversational Tone:
  This expression is commonly used in conversational Japanese, adding an emotional nuance to the speaker's statements.

6. Similar Grammar

• 〜ばかりか: Indicates not only one thing but also others, similar in meaning but slightly different in nuance.
  • Example: 彼は日本語ばかりか、英語も上手だ。
    Not only is he good at Japanese, but he is also good at English.

7. Alternative Grammar

• 〜にとどまらず: Indicates that something extends beyond a certain point.
  • Example: 彼の影響は国内にとどまらず、海外にも及んでいる。
    His influence extends not only domestically but also overseas.

8. Summary

「〜どころか」 is used to express that a situation is far from what was expected, often leading to a stronger statement. It emphasizes the significant contrast between expectations and reality, making it a useful structure for highlighting extreme or surprising conditions.