ところ (tokoro)

Meaning & usage

ところ marks the timing of an action in a narrative, showing whether someone is about to act, is in the middle of acting, or has recently completed an action. It follows verbs directly, with する ところだ for before acting, している ところだ for during acting, and した ところだ for after completing, and it can also link clauses to mean at the moment when something happens. In the past form するところだった, it often describes something that almost happened but was avoided.

Example sentences 5

1. 直美なおみはちょうど仕事しごとをし終おえたところだ。

   Naomi has just finished her work.

2. 彼女はそのとき、夕食を作っているところだった。

   She was cooking dinner at that time.

3. 私が帰宅したとき、弟は宿題をしているところだった。

   When I returned home, my brother was doing his homework.

4. うっかりそれを忘れるところだったわ。

   I almost forgot all about that.

5. ちょうど宿題をすませたところだよ。

   I have just finished my homework.