Mimi Kara N2 Grammar: どころか… (dokoroka)

67. ～ どころか… (dokoroka)

Meaning: Not only to the extent that ~ –> is more intense than that, contrary to what was said earlier (emphasis on the latter)

How to use:
N + どころか

V／Aい／Aな + どころか

* No add だ later Aな

Example sentences:

勉強が忙しくて、友達と遊ぶどころか、うちでテレビを見る時間もない。
Because I’m too busy studying, I don’t even have time to watch TV, let alone time to hang out with friends.

喉が痛くて、ご飯を食べるどころか水も飲めない。
Because of a sore throat, he couldn’t even drink the whole country, let alone eat rice.

この絵は100万円した。しかし私はこの絵には100万円どころか200万円の価値があるとおもう。
This painting costs 1 million yen. But I think its value should be 2 million yen, not just 1 million yen.

評判の映画を見に行ったのだが、面白いどころか退屈で、途中で帰ってしまった。I went to see a famous movie, but I found it not only not good but also boring, so I left halfway through.

「お宅のおじいさんの病気、治った?」
“Is your grandfather’s illness cured?”

–>「ええ、それ(／治った)どころか、前より元気になったみたいよ」
“Yes, my grandfather is not only cured, but healthier than before.”

–>「それが、治るどころか悪化して、入院したんですよ」
“My grandfather’s illness not only didn’t get better, but it got worse, so he was hospitalized.”