Structure
Verb［ている］+ ところ（に (1)）
Verb［ていた］+ ところ（に (1)）
(1) へ
Details
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Standard
About ～ところに・～ところへ
ところに will be used to highlight the time of (A), and can be interpreted as 'at the time of (A)', 'while (A)', or 'with the timing of (A)'. As it is a structure that makes use of the noun ところ 'place' or 'spot', it puts more emphasis on the scene or situation, rather than the action itself.
This pattern follows verbs in their ている or ていた forms. Also, rather than appearing with に, へ is sometimes used instead. Depending on the form of the verb, ところに may indicate being 'on the verge of (A)', 'partway through (A)', or having 'just finished (A)'.
Compared to other ところ based structures, the addition of に or へ will often precede a (B) statement indicating that 'at the precise moment of (A), (B) happened'. This may either be positive or negative.
Caution
In many cases, ところに will be used when (A) is either a 'situation' or an 'emotion', and will not often be used in relation to unimportant or trivial actions, unless expressing the 'precise moment' where something unexpected happened during that trivial action.
Caution
When appearing with nouns, な-Adjectives, or い-Adjectives, ところに, へ, で, and を simply highlight that 'state of (A)'.
- お見苦しいところをお見せして申し訳ございません。I am terribly sorry that you had to see such a thing.
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正直なところ、彼の言うことはあまり信じない方がいい。To be honest, you shouldn't trust what he says.
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先輩、お休みのところすみません。今お時間大丈夫でしょうか。Senpai, I'm sorry to bother you on your break. Do you have some time right now?
Synonyms
ているところだ
In the process of doing ~ right now/at this moment
Not studied yet
ついでに
While you are at it, On the occasion
Not studied yet
最中に
In the middle of
Not studied yet
の間に
While, During, Between, Period
Not studied yet
ているあいだに
While, During the time that ~
Not studied yet
ているあいだに
While, During the time that ~
Not studied yet
Examples
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犬を散歩させているところにTさんに出くわした。
When I was walking the dog, I came across T-san.
ちょうどジャガイモの皮をむこうとしているところに電話が鳴った。
The telephone rang while I was trying to peel the potatoes.
セメントを入れているところへ猫がやって来て足跡を付けた。
A cat came by and left prints when the cement was being poured.
店を閉めているところへお客さんが来ちゃった。
A customer came right when I was closing up the shop.
車を洗っていたところにウチの犬がやってきて、車にオシッコをした。
While I was washing the car, my dog came over and peed on it.
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