～どころか
AどころかB means 'far from A, B' or 'let alone A, B'. B is an extreme/unexpected result compared to A.
彼は怒るどころか、泣き出した。
Far from getting angry, he burst into tears.
N1 Grammar guide · group 12 of 29
JLPT N1 grammar, group 12
14 grammar points, each with what it means and example sentences.
Practise this group～でなければ
～でなければ means 'unless/if not...'. Used for necessary conditions. Noun + でなければ. More formal than じゃなければ.
この問題は専門家でなければ、解けない。
Unless you are an expert, you can't solve this problem.
～そうで...ない
～そうで...ない means 'contrary to appearance/although it seems...'. Expresses that reality differs from expectation.
この問題は簡単そうで、時間がかかる。
Although this problem looks easy, it takes time.
～ことは～が
～ことは～が means 'it is true that...but...'. Concedes a point before stating a drawback or contrast. Formal pattern.
この薬は効くことは効くが、高すぎる。
It is true that this medicine works, but it is too expensive.
～でありながら
～でありながら means 'despite being.../although...'. Formal. Used to contrast status/identity with unexpected behavior.
彼は学者でありながら、世間の常識がない。
Despite being a scholar, he has no worldly common sense.
彼は学者でありながら、子供にも分かるように説明する。
Despite being a scholar, he explains so that even children can understand.
彼は金持ちでありながら、お金の価値を理解している。
Despite being rich, he understands the value of money.
～であるにしては
～であるにしては means 'for someone who is.../considering that...'. Used when reality doesn't match what's expected from the status.
彼は医者であるにしては、基本的な病気も知らない。
For someone who is a doctor, he doesn't even know basic illnesses.
～に足る
～に足る means 'to be worth.../to be sufficient for...'. Very formal/literary. Often with 読むに足る、信じるに足る.
この本は読むに足る価値がある名作だ。
This is a masterpiece worth reading.
～とはいえ
～とはいえ means 'although.../even so...'. Used to concede a point before stating a contrast. More formal than けど/けれど.
彼は貧しいとはいえ、誇りを捨てない。
Although he is poor, he doesn't abandon his pride.
～ない限り
～ない限り means 'unless.../as long as...not'. Used for conditions that must be met. More emphatic than なければ.
この薬は飲まない限り、回復は不可能だ。
Unless you take this medicine, recovery is impossible.
～にあたっては
～にあたっては means 'at the time of/when...'. Used for occasions, events, or starting something important. は adds contrast/emphasis.
海外展開にあたっては、現地パートナーとの信頼関係を築いた。
When it comes to overseas expansion, we built trust with local partners.
～てからというもの
'Ever since doing X, things have changed noticeably.' Vて+からというもの.
海外に赴任してからというもの、彼の視野が大きく広がった。
Ever since being posted abroad, his perspective broadened greatly.
～が早いか
'No sooner had A happened than B immediately followed.' V辞書形+が早いか. Very literary/formal.
店が開くが早いか、客が列を作って入ってきた。
No sooner did the store open than customers lined up and poured in.
～ならいざ知らず
'If it were X that'd be one thing, but Y is another matter.' Contrasts an acceptable case with an unacceptable one. N/plain form+ならいざ知らず.
緊急事態ならいざ知らず、普通の状況でそんな判断をするとは驚きだ。
In an emergency it would be understandable, but making such a judgment under normal circumstances is surprising.
～手前
'Because of one's position/face/pride.' The speaker cannot act freely because of obligations from having declared or done something. N/Vた+手前.
みんなに期待されている手前、プレッシャーに負けるわけにはいかない。
Because everyone has expectations of me, I cannot give in to pressure.