Verb たところ

Verb ta tokoro

JLPT N4 Neutral Chapter 42: While, during, by then, 8 of 10

Formation

Verb (た form) + ところ

Expresses the situation right after an action has taken place.

When to use

た + ところ: have just done it (今帰ったところ). In the middle: ているところ. Both use the noun ところ, on opposite sides of the action: Verb-た + ところ is the moment just after it ('upon doing', 'right after'), Verb-dictionary + ところ is the moment just before or during it ('about to', 'in the middle of').

Explanation

The たところ grammar point is used to describe a situation that occurs right after an action has taken place. It is often translated as 'just now', 'right after', or 'when'. The formation is relatively simple as it only requires the verb in its た form (past tense) followed by ところ.

Example sentences

ドアを開あけたところ、猫ねこが飛とび出だしてきた。

When I opened the door, a cat came jumping out.

Doa wo aketa tokoro, neko ga tobidashite kita.
電話でんわを切きったところ、また鳴なった。

Right after I hung up the phone, it rang again.

Denwa wo kitta tokoro, mata natta.
宿題しゅくだいを終おわらせたところで、友達ともだちから連絡れんらくが来きた。

Just as I finished my homework, I got a message from my friend.

Shukudai wo owaraseta tokoro de, tomodachi kara renraku ga kita.
買かい物ものをして帰かえったところ、財布さいふを失しつくしたことに気きづいた。

After shopping and returning home, I realized I had lost my wallet.

Kaimono wo shite kaetta tokoro, saifu wo nakushita koto ni kizuita.
彼かれは食たべるところです。

He is in the process of eating.

Kare wa taberu tokoro desu.
私わたしは出でかけるところです。

I am just about to leave.

Watashi wa dekakeru tokoro desu.
彼女かのじょは泣なくところでした。

She was on the verge of crying.

Kanojo wa naku tokoro deshita.
私わたしたちは勉強べんきょうするところです。

We are in the middle of studying.

Watashitachi wa benkyou suru tokoro desu.

Stage Of An Action (About To / In The Middle Of / Just Did)

Compare when to use each