「〜ところを」- During an Action
Explanation
「〜ところを」 is a commonly used grammatical structure in Japanese that describes something happening while another action or state is in progress. It can be translated as "while" or "in the middle of."
Grammar Pattern
| Grammar Point | Connection | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Verb Plain Form / Verb Negative Form / Noun—の / Noun + ところを | Verb Plain Form / Verb Negative Form / Noun—の / Noun + ところを | Used to describe something happening while another action or state is in progress. |
Basic Usage
The basic usage of 「〜ところを」 is to describe an ongoing action or state and introduce a subsequent event. The subsequent event is often related to the preceding action or state and is used to emphasize unexpectedness or suddenness.
Examples
犯人 は買 い物 をしているところを 警察 に逮捕 された。- Hannin wa kaimono o shiteiru tokoro o keisatsu ni taiho sareta.
- The criminal was arrested while shopping.
Deep Dive
「〜ところを」 in Dynamic Situations
This usage describes something happening at a specific moment during an ongoing action or state. It is often used to narrate moments of discovery or capture.
Examples:
タバコ を吸 っているところを 先生 に見 つかった。- Tabako o sutteiru tokoro o sensei ni mitsukatta.
- I was caught by the teacher while smoking.
歩 いているところを 警察 に呼 び止 められた。- Aruiteiru tokoro o keisatsu ni yobitomerareta.
- I was stopped by the police while walking.
Summary
「〜ところを」 is an expression that emphasizes events happening at specific moments. It is widely used in both everyday conversations and formal situations. Understanding this grammar point can enhance the accuracy and vividness of Japanese expressions.