～所に
At the time, When, While, Timing
Structure
Verb［ていた］+ ところ（に (1)）
(1) へ
Explanation
ところに is used to indicate the precise moment when something happens. It can be translated as 'just as (A) was happening', 'right in the middle of (A)', or 'at the very moment of (A)'. Because it utilizes the noun ところ, which means 'place' or 'spot', it puts a strong focus on the specific circumstances or the scene of the action, not just the action itself.
This grammar point connects to verbs in their continuous form (ている) or past continuous form (ていた). The particle へ is sometimes used in place of に. 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)'.
- 夕食を食べているところに、友達から電話がかかってきた。I was in the middle of eating dinner when I got a call from my friend.
- アニメを見ていたところに、急に停電になってしまった。I was watching anime when the power suddenly went out.
- 重い荷物で困っているところへ、親切な人が来て手伝ってくれた。A kind person came to help me just as I was struggling with my heavy bags.
- 一人で泣いていたところへ、ルームメートが心配して声をかけてくれた。My roommate came to check on me while I was crying by myself.
In contrast to other grammar points using ところ, adding に or へ frequently introduces a second clause (B) that describes an unexpected event that interrupted or occurred at the exact same time as (A). This event can be either fortunate or unfortunate.
Caution
In most situations, ところに will be used when (A) describes a significant circumstance or emotional state. It is not typically used for trivial or minor actions, unless the goal is to highlight the surprising nature of something that happened during that action.
Caution
When following nouns, な-Adjectives, or い-Adjectives, the particles に, へ, で, and を after ところ simply draw attention to that particular 'state' or 'situation'.
- お忙しいところをすみません、少しだけお話しできますか。I'm sorry to bother you while you're so busy, but do you have a moment to talk?
- このカメラの良いところは、軽くて持ち運びやすいことです。The great thing about this camera is that it's light and easy to carry.
- お食事中のところ申し訳ありませんが、緊急のご連絡です。I'm terribly sorry to interrupt you during your meal, but this is an urgent message.
Examples
映画の一番いいところを見ているところに、宅配便が届いた。
A delivery arrived right when I was watching the best part of the movie.
きれいな風景の写真を撮っているところに、人が前に割り込んできた。
Someone cut in front of me just as I was taking a picture of the beautiful scenery.
晩ご飯を作っているところに、火災報知機が鳴り出した。
The fire alarm started ringing while I was making dinner.
庭の花に水をあげているところへ、急に雨が降り出した。
It suddenly started raining just when I was watering the flowers in the garden.
みんなの前でスピーチをしているところに、携帯が鳴ってしまって、とても焦った。
My phone rang while I was giving a speech in front of everyone, and I got really flustered.
かばんの中で鍵を探しているところに、乗るはずのバスが来てしまった。
The bus I was supposed to take arrived while I was searching for my keys in my bag.
ちょうど家を出ようとしているところに、宿題を忘れたことを思い出した。
I remembered I had forgotten my homework just as I was about to leave the house.
レジでお金を払おうとしているところに、財布を忘れてきたことに気づいた。
I realized I had forgotten my wallet right when I was about to pay at the register.
好きな人に告白しようとしているところへ、友達が声をかけてきた。
A friend called out to me just as I was about to confess to the person I like.
気持ちよく寝ようとしているところに、蚊が耳元で飛んでいて、全然眠れなくなった。
Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, a mosquito started buzzing by my ear, and I couldn't get to sleep at all.
やっとレポートを書き終えたところに、先生から追加の課題が出された。
Right after I finally finished writing my report, the teacher assigned additional homework.
駅に着いたところに、電車が目の前で出発してしまった。
The train left right in front of me just as I arrived at the station.