Dokoro ka どころか
Phrase meaning: far from, to say nothing of, not to
speak of, much more, (not)… much less, not only… but…, not… on the contrary
1. After (adjectival) noun
(the pattern… dokoro ka… mo emphasizes the second item
in comparison with the first)
彼は日本語どころか中国語も話せます。
Kare wa nihongo dokoro ka chuugokugo mo hanasemasu.
He can speak not only Japanese but Chinese as well.
肉どころか魚も食べません。
Niku dokoro ka sakana mo tabemasen.
I don’t eat fish much less meat.
ドイツ語どころか英語も私には難しい。
Doitsugo dokoro ka eigo mo watashi ni wa muzukashii.
English is difficult for me, to say nothing of German.
雨どころか雪になりそうです。
Ame dokoro
ka yuki ni nari sou desu.
Rain… it looks more like snow.
2. After dictionary form of verb/adjective
彼は笑うどころか怒ってしまった。
Kare wa warau dokoro ka okotte shimatta.
Far from laughing, he got totally angry.
彼は賢いどころか天才だ。
Kare wa kashikoi dokoro ka tensai da.
He is not only clever but a genius.
3. After nai-form of verb
彼は手伝わないどころか文句を言っている。
Kare wa tetsudawanai dokoro ka monku o itte iru.
Not only does he not help, but he complains.
Japanese for Beginners