Meaning & usage
たところで expresses that even if someone does an action, it will not change the outcome, often paired with a negative conclusion like 無駄だ or しょうがない. It attaches to the past ta-form of a verb, as in やったところで or 言ったところで, including verbs like してみる. It is used in both speech and writing to dismiss an effort as pointless, and the main clause usually expresses a negative or hopeless result.
Example sentences 6
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ぶつくさ言ったところでしょうがない。
Complaining won't change anything.
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もう一度やってみたところで無駄だよ。
There's no point in trying again.
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運命に文句を言ってみたところで始まらない。
It is no use quarreling with fate.
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何をやってみたところで、私は禁煙できそうにない。
No matter what I try, I can't seem to give up smoking.
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それをやったところで、何の得にもならないよ。
You'll gain nothing from doing that.
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好き嫌い言ったところで、今すぐやらなきゃ駄目だろ。
Like it or not, you have to do that right away.
In past JLPT papers
This came up in 4 past exam questions.
