Completely opposite to with 〜どころか
Grammar: Unexpected » Completely opposite with 〜どころか
どころか joins two sentences to emphasize that the first sentence is the opposite of reality, and that the second sentence is the fact. The first sentence is “competelely opposite” or “completely different” from the reality portayed in the second sentence.
When both sentences are affirmative or both are negative, it has the meaning of “not just” or “even” in English.
In the case where either sentence is affirmative and the other is negative, it has the sense of “far from” in English.
Further Reading
- AどころかB｜日本語能力試験 JLPT N２ (edewakaru.com)
Examples
Far from being helpful with 〜どころか
Fujiwara catches Hitsuji writing inspirational messages with his signature on wristbands. Hitsuji explains that female classmates requested she get Fujiwara to sign them, but she couldn’t find the right time to ask him, so she took on the task herself.
Fujiwara vetoes the idea, but when he sees Hitsuji apologize to their classmates, admitting that she wrote them herself, Fujiwara tells the classmates to pretend as if he wrote them.
After the wristbands are handed out, Hitsuji thanks Fujiwara and the council.
- ヒツジ:
- 「また みんなに助けてもらって…」
- “Again, everyone came to my rescue...”
- 「役に立つどころか迷惑かけて…」
- “Far from being helpful, I caused you trouble...”
Far from getting information with 〜どころか
Conan moves in with Ran and her detective father in hopes of learning more about the black-clad men responsible for him shrinking to a child. Days later, Conan has become disillusioned by the idea.
- コナン:
- 「奴らの情報どころか、一件の依頼も来ねーぜ…」
- “Far from information on those guys, not even a single case commission has come...”
Far from seeing a fish with 〜どころか
The Detective Boys follow what appears to be an encoded treasure map. They’re able to locate each symbol from the map except for what appears to be a fish. Conan figures it out, and leads the group up a fire escape to the top floor of a nearby building.
- 元太:
- 「おいおい、真っ暗で魚どころかなんも見えねーぞ！！」
- “Hey, it's pitch black. Far from a fish, I can't even see anything!!”
- コナン:
- 「まあ、ここから外を見てみなよ！」
- “Well, try looking outside from here!”
