Japanese grammar
What does ～ところを mean? Japanese grammar N1
～ところを means at the very moment when…; despite the circumstance of….
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N1 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vる／Vている／Vた + ところを |
| Romaji | tokorowo |
| Meaning | at the very moment when…; despite the circumstance of… |
Forming it
| Connection | Vる／Vている／Vた + ところを |
|---|
How to use it
States the circumstance the other person is in, then mentions an act that intrudes into that circumstance. Two uses: polite, and catching someone in the act.
- Use (a) POLITE: 「お忙しいところを、ありがとうございます」 — thanking/apologizing for imposing while the other person is busy.
- Use (b) CAUGHT IN THE ACT: 「逃げようとしているところを捕まった」 — caught/stopped by B right while doing A.
- Common thread: the latter clause is an action by ANOTHER PERSON acting upon the subject's situation. If only stating the timing, use 「ところに／ところへ」.
Examples
お忙しいところを、ありがとうございます。
Thank you despite being busy.
逃げようとしているところを警察に捕まった。
He was caught by the police just as he tried to escape.
Keep in mind
- Particle 「を」 (not 「に」) because the following clause acts upon that situation.
- Use (a) is a social formula — memorize the whole phrase 「お忙しいところを」.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong忙しいところに、ありがとうございます。
Correct忙しいところを、ありがとうございます。
Thanking/apologizing for imposing uses ところを.
Exam tips
- 「ところを」 = right while A, is/was B'd; uses 「を」, different from 「ところに」.