What does ～たところ mean? Japanese grammar N2

Forming it

How to use it

After doing A, one comes to learn B. B is an unexpected result, often used when reporting.

• 「Vたところ」 = did A, and it turned out that B: 「彼に聞いたところ、答えを知らないようだった」.
• Polite written style; the conversational equivalent is 「～たら」. The second clause is always in the た form because it states something already known.
• Do not confuse this with 「Vたところだ」 (just finished doing) or 「Vるところだ」 (about to do) — they share the character 「ところ」 but have different functions.

Examples

• 部屋(へや)を掃除(そうじ)したところ、なくしたはずの鍵(かぎ)が出(で)てきた。

  When I cleaned the room, the key I thought I had lost turned up.

• 担当(たんとう)者(しゃ)に問(と)い合(あ)わせたところ、在庫(ざいこ)はないとのことだった。

  When I inquired with the person in charge, I was told there was no stock.

Keep in mind

• The following clause is a discovery, not used as a command.
• Connects to the た form.

Common mistakes

• Wrong調(しら)べたところ、報告(ほうこく)してください。

  Once you've finished checking, please report it.

  Correct調(しら)べたところ、問題(もんだい)が見(み)つかりました。

  The second clause states a discovery; it is not used for a request.

• Wrong今(いま)、駅(えき)に着(つ)くたところです。

  I just arrived at the station.

  Correct今(いま)、駅(えき)に着(つ)いたところです。

  「たところだ」 (just now) attaches directly to the た form.

Exam tips

• 「Vたところ」 = did A and discovered B (written style); conversational equivalent is 「たら」.

Related patterns

• ～たら
• ～たところだ
• ～た結果