JLPT N2 Grammar
· Upper Intermediate
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· Upper Intermediate
Far from; not the time for
Category: Evaluation & State
The grammar pattern "V-dict/N + どころではない" is used to express that a situation is so extreme or busy that a particular action is completely impossible or out of the question. It emphasizes the urgency or difficulty of the situation, making the action mentioned unfeasible. This pattern is often used in everyday conversations to convey a sense of impossibility or infeasibility due to the current circumstances.
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Dict form (V-dict) | V-dict + N + どころではない | 働きが忙しくて、旅行 どころではない |
| Noun form (N) | V + N + どころではない | 風邪がひくて、食事 どころではない |
| Adjective form (Adj-dict) | Adj-dict + N + どころではない | 周りがうるくて、勉強 どころではない |
仕事が忙しくて、旅行 どころではない。
Shigoto ga isogashikute, ryokou dochora dewa nai.
I'm too busy with work to go on a trip.
仕事が忙しくて (I'm too busy with work), 旅行 どころではない (to go on a trip is impossible)
風邪がひくて、食事 どころではない。
Fūka ga hikute, shokuji dochora dewa nai.
I'm too sick to eat.
風邪がひくて (I'm too sick), 食事 どころではない (to eat is impossible)
周りがうるくて、勉強 どころではない。
Mawari ga urusukute, benkyou dochora dewa nai.
It's too noisy around me to study.
周りがうるくて (It's too noisy around me), 勉強 どころではない (to study is impossible)
This pattern is used in informal conversations to express a sense of impossibility or infeasibility due to the current circumstances. It's often used in situations where the speaker feels overwhelmed or unable to perform a particular action. The pattern can be used with various verbs, nouns, and adjectives to convey different meanings.
The pattern relies on the verb to convey a sense of impossibility, so using a verb that doesn't imply this can make the sentence sound unnatural.
The particle "どころではない" is essential to convey the sense of impossibility, so omitting it can make the sentence sound incomplete.
The pattern relies on the noun to convey a sense of difficulty or impossibility, so using a noun that doesn't imply this can make the sentence sound unnatural.
When using this pattern in the JLPT exam, make sure to choose a verb or noun that conveys a strong sense of impossibility. Also, pay attention to the particle "どころではない" and include it to emphasize the impossibility of the action.
仕事が忙しくて、旅行 ______。
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