I have to create materials for a big conference by tomorrow, so I am in no condition/situation to go drinking today.
📖 Explanation & Nuance
The phrase 「～どころではない」 means "this is not the time/situation for X" or "I am in no condition to do X." It indicates that one is far from being in a suitable state or situation for something, usually due to more pressing or serious matters at hand. It attaches to nouns, plain form verbs, or な-adjective stems. Example: 明日までに大きな会議の資料を作成しなければならないので、今日は飲みに行く**どころではない**んです。
あることをする状況や余裕がないことを表します。他に重要な事情がある時に使います。名詞、動詞普通形などにつけます。
📝 Example Sentence
明日までに大きな会議の資料を作成しなければならないので、今日は飲みに行く「どころではない」んです。
I have to create materials for a big conference by tomorrow, so I am in no condition/situation to go drinking today.
Practice Quiz
Verify your grammar strength for "〜どころではない"
Explanation (EN): The phrase 「～どころではない」 means \"this is not the time/situation for X\" or \"I am in no condition to do X.\" It indicates that one is far from being in a suitable state or situation for something, usually due to more pressing or serious matters at hand. It attaches to nouns, plain form verbs, or な-adjective stems. Example: 明日までに大きな会議の資料を作成しなければならないので、今日は飲みに行く**どころではない**んです。\n\nCommon Mistakes:\n❌ わけだ: '飲みに行くわけだ' means 'So naturally, I am going drinking!'. That completely contradicts the fact that you have a massive amount of work due tomorrow!\n❌ はずではない: The grammar doesn't really exist! We say 'はずがない'. \n❌ ずにはいられない: '〜ずにはいられない' means 'I can't help but do it'. If you say 'I have so much work, I can't help but go drinking!', you're basically giving up on your job! Use 'どころではない' to say 'This is no time for drinks!'.
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