「〜ところだ」- Action Timing

Explanation

「ところだ」 is an important Japanese grammar point used to indicate that an action is about to happen, is currently happening, or has just been completed. It is pronounced as "tokoro da." In sentences, 「ところだ」 can connect to different verb forms, and its specific usage depends on the timing of the action.

Grammar Patterns

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb Dictionary Form + ところだ	Verb Base Form	Indicates that the action is about to happen. Often paired with words like 「これから (from now)」 or 「ちょうど (just).」
Verb ている Form + ところだ	Verb て Form	Indicates that the action is currently happening. Often paired with words like 「今 (now)」 or 「ちょうど (just).」
Verb た Form + ところだ	Verb Past Tense	Indicates that the action has just been completed. Often paired with words like 「たった今 (just now)」 or 「ちょうど (just).」

Basic Usage

「〜ところだ」 can combine with the dictionary form, ている form, and た form of verbs to express actions that are about to happen, are currently happening, or have just been completed.

Verb Dictionary Form + ところだ

Indicates that the action is about to happen. Often paired with words like 「これから (from now)」 or 「ちょうど (just).」

• これから出でかける ところだ。
• Kore kara dekakeru tokoro da.
• I'm about to leave.
  

• 今からいま始はじめる ところだ。
• Ima kara hajimeru tokoro da.
• I'm about to start now.
  

Verb ている Form + ところだ

Indicates that the action is currently happening. Often paired with words like 「今 (now)」 or 「ちょうど (just).」

• 今昼ひるご飯はんを食たべている ところだ。
• Ima hiru gohan o tabete iru tokoro da.
• I'm currently eating lunch.
  

• 彼かれは宿題しゅくだいをしている ところだ。
• Kare wa shukudai o shite iru tokoro da.
• He is currently doing his homework.
  

Verb た Form + ところだ

Indicates that the action has just been completed. Often paired with words like 「たった今 (just now)」 or 「ちょうど (just).」

• たった今帰かえってきた ところだ。
• Tatta ima kaette kita tokoro da.
• I just got home.
  

• ちょうどレポートを終おえた ところだ。
• Choudo repooto o oeta tokoro da.
• I just finished the report.
  

Deep Dive

Subtle Differences in 「〜ところだ」

Although the three usages of 「〜ところだ」 all indicate the timing of an action, their specific contexts and subtle differences are as follows:

Verb Dictionary Form + ところだ

• Emphasizes that the action is about to start, not yet begun but in a preparatory state.
• Example:
  • 今からいま出発しゅっぱつする ところだ。
  • Ima kara shuppatsu suru tokoro da.
  • I'm about to leave.
    

Verb ている Form + ところだ

• Emphasizes that the action is currently in progress, not yet completed.
• Example:
  • 今テレビてれびを見みている ところだ。
  • Ima terebi o mite iru tokoro da.
  • I'm currently watching TV.
    

Verb た Form + ところだ

• Emphasizes that the action has just been completed, shortly after finishing.
• Example:
  • ちょうど帰かえってきた ところだ。
  • Choudo kaette kita tokoro da.
  • I just got home.
    

Examples

Here are some practical examples to better understand the usage of 「〜ところだ」:

• これから昼ひるご飯はんを食たべる ところだ。
• Kore kara hiru gohan o taberu tokoro da.
• I'm about to eat lunch.
  

• 今、彼かれは宿題しゅくだいをしている ところだ。
• Ima, kare wa shukudai o shite iru tokoro da.
• He is currently doing his homework.
  

• たった今、レポートを終おえた ところだ。
• Tatta ima, repooto o oeta tokoro da.
• I just finished the report.
  

Common Mistakes

• Mistake 1: Misusing 「ところだ」 to indicate future actions. It should be used with the appropriate verb form.
• Mistake 2: Confusing 「〜ところだ」 with 「〜ている」. The former emphasizes timing, while the latter emphasizes the continuity of the action.

Real-Life Scenarios

• In daily conversations, it is used to describe meetings about to start, activities currently happening, or tasks just completed.
• In work settings, it can be used to update project progress or personal status.

Summary

「〜ところだ」 is a highly practical Japanese grammar point that, through different verb forms, can express the timing of actions. Mastering the usage of 「〜ところだ」 will make your Japanese expressions more accurate and vivid.