どころではないNo time or room for; out of the question
Says that a pressing, serious, or overwhelming situation leaves no practical or mental room for an activity. Depending on context, it can mean “this is no time for,” “I cannot afford to,” or “that is out of the question.”
How it works
The part before the expression names the activity that has been pushed aside. The surrounding context supplies the more urgent circumstance: an emergency, heavy workload, illness, danger, or emotional shock. This is usually practical or psychological impossibility, not a claim that the action is physically impossible.
Nouns and verbs
Make the competing circumstance explicit or obvious from context.
締め切りが三つ重なって、旅行どころではない。
With three deadlines piling up, a trip is out of the question.
AnalyzeThe noun names the activity that the workload rules out.
今は避難経路を確保しなければならず、休んでいるどころではない。
We need to secure an evacuation route now, so this is no time to be resting.
AnalyzeThe urgent task leaves no practical room for the action before the expression.
In conversation
今夜、飲みに行かない？
Want to go for a drink tonight?
Analyze明日までに報告書を三本仕上げなきゃならないんだ。飲みに行くどころじゃないよ。
I have to finish three reports by tomorrow. Going for a drink is out of the question.
AnalyzeThe contraction fits the casual wording of the reply.
Three different kinds of “cannot”
どころではない means that circumstances leave no room for an activity. By contrast, どころか rejects an expectation and replaces it with a contrary or stronger reality. わけにはいかない usually means that duty, social expectations, or one’s position prevents an action. ようがない says that there is no method or possible way to perform it.
More examples
大規模な停電で病院は混乱し、通常診療どころではない。
A major power outage has thrown the hospital into confusion, so routine consultations are out of the question.
Analyze明日の朝までに復旧させる必要があり、家に帰るどころではない。
It has to be restored by tomorrow morning, so there is no question of going home.
Analyze高熱が続いていて、試験を受けるどころではなかった。
The high fever would not go away, so taking the exam was out of the question.
Analyze電車が止まってるんだから、映画どころじゃないよ。
The trains have stopped, so forget about the movie.
Analyze山頂付近は吹雪で、景色を楽しむどころの話ではない。
There is a blizzard near the summit; enjoying the scenery is completely out of the question.
Analyze会社の存続が危ぶまれる中、部署同士で争っているどころではありません。
With the company’s survival in doubt, this is no time for departments to fight each other.
Analyze