「〜ところで」- Usage of "Just When"

Explanation

In Japanese, the word 「所ところ」 literally means "place" or "location," but in grammar, it is often used to express "a specific moment" or "a state in progress." This article will provide a detailed explanation of the usage and meaning of 〜ところで, along with practical examples to aid understanding.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Dictionary Form / Verb Te-Form / Noun + 「ところで」	Verb Dictionary Form / Verb Te-Form / Noun	Indicates the state after an action is completed or the exact moment when one action occurs, followed by another event.

Basic Usage

• Connection: Verb Dictionary Form / Verb Te-Form / Noun + 「ところで」
• Meaning:
  • Expresses the reason for hearing something: "It was said that at the time of..." or "How could...?"
  • Used to emphasize the lack of time, money, or energy to do something.

Examples

• 風かぜが近づちかづいてきているところでところで、飛行機ひこうきが墜落ついらくになった。
• Kaze ga chikazuiteiru tokoro de, hikouki ga tsuiraku ni natta.
• It was said that because the typhoon was approaching, the plane crashed.
  

• ご飯ごはんができたところでところで 夫おっとが帰かえってきた。
• Gohan ga dekita tokoro de otto ga kaette kita.
• Just as the meal was ready, my husband came home.
  

• 友人ゆうじんから電話でんわが来きたところでところで、急きゅうに用事ようじができて出でかけなければならなくなった。
• Yuujin kara denwa ga kita tokoro de, kyuu ni youji ga dekite dekakenakereba naranakunatta.
• Just when my friend called, I suddenly had something urgent to attend to and had to leave.
  

• 電話でんわを切きったところところ、また別べつの人ひとから電話でんわがかかってきた。
• Denwa o kitta tokoro, mata betsu no hito kara denwa ga kakatte kita.
• Just after I hung up the phone, another person called.
  

Deep Dive

〜ところで can indicate the specific moment when an action occurs, but its usage and meaning are quite specific.

• 「〜ところで」: Generally used to express the state after an action is completed or the exact moment when one action occurs, followed by another event.
  • Example: ご飯ごはんができたところでところで 夫おっとが帰かえってきた。
  • Translation: Just as the meal was ready, my husband came home.

Real-Life Scenarios

In daily life, you might often hear expressions like:

• 友人ゆうじんから電話でんわが来きたところでところで、急きゅうに用事ようじができて出でかけなければならなくなった。
• Yuujin kara denwa ga kita tokoro de, kyuu ni youji ga dekite dekakenakereba naranakunatta.
• Just when my friend called, I suddenly had something urgent to attend to and had to leave.
  

In this sentence, ところで indicates the moment when one action occurs, immediately followed by another event.

Summary

〜ところで is a highly practical grammar point in Japanese. Through different particle combinations, it can express various moments and situations. Understanding and mastering its usage will help you communicate more accurately and naturally in everyday conversations.