# ところを: although (it is a certain time/condition); even though normally

> Learn the JLPT N1 grammar point ところを, meaning although (a condition) or even though normally, with example sentences and common mistakes.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-tokoro-o/

**ところを** means **although (it is a certain time/condition); even though normally**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to acknowledge that something happens or is done, even though the specific situation would normally suggest otherwise.

This grammar point often appears in polite expressions, business Japanese, and formal writing. If you want to show consideration by recognising the interruption or contradiction of a particular moment or state, **ところを** is a useful pattern to learn because it adds natural formality and nuance to your Japanese.

<div class="pullquote">
  <strong>Core meaning:</strong> “even though it is (time when / condition that) …” – showing polite awareness that a situation is being disrupted.
</div>

## What does ところを mean?

Use **ところを** when you want to express that someone does something (or something happens) that goes against the natural expectation of that specific time or condition. It often appears in set phrases where the speaker apologizes for an intrusion or expresses gratitude for effort made despite an inconvenience.

Natural translations include:
- although (it is a certain time/condition)
- even though normally
- I’m sorry to trouble you when you are … (in polite phrases)

The best translation depends on the sentence. Try to notice the writer’s or speaker’s purpose first, then choose the English phrase that fits that context.

## How to form ところを

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb (dictionary form)</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">ところを</span>
</div>

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">の</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">ところを</span>
</div>

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">な-adjective</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-aux">な</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core">ところを</span>
</div>

Common patterns:
- お<ruby>忙しい<rp>(</rp><rt>いそがしい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ところを
- お<ruby>休み<rp>(</rp><rt>やすみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のところを
- <ruby>出かける<rp>(</rp><rt>でかける</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ところを
- <ruby>勉強<rp>(</rp><rt>べんきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しているところを

The form before the grammar point matters. In JLPT questions, the wrong answer choices often use a similar meaning but attach it to the wrong type of word.

## When is ところを used?

Use **ところを** in situations like:
- apologising for interrupting someone who is busy
- expressing gratitude for help despite someone being tired or off‑duty
- describing an event that happens despite a contrary situation (especially in formal narratives)

Tone and register:
- polite, often accompanied by humble or honorific language
- common in business emails, set expressions, and formal speech

## ところを example sentences

<div class="examples">

<div class="example">
  <p class="example-jp">
    <ruby>お忙<rt>いそが</rt></ruby>しいところを、<ruby>恐<rt>おそ</rt></ruby>れ<ruby>入<rt>い</rt></ruby>りますが、<ruby>少々<rt>しょうしょう</rt></ruby>お<ruby>時間<rt>じかん</rt></ruby>をいただけますか。
  </p>
  <p class="example-en">I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy, but could I have a moment of your time?</p>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">formal</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <p class="example-jp">
    <ruby>雨<rt>あめ</rt></ruby>のところを、わざわざお<ruby>越<rt>こ</rt></ruby>しいただきありがとうございます。
  </p>
  <p class="example-en">Thank you for coming all this way even though it’s raining.</p>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">polite gratitude</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <p class="example-jp">
    <ruby>先生<rt>せんせい</rt></ruby>はお<ruby>疲<rt>つか</rt></ruby>れのところを、<ruby>私<rt>わたし</rt></ruby>たちのために<ruby>残<rt>のこ</rt></ruby>って<ruby>指導<rt>しどう</rt></ruby>してくださいました。
  </p>
  <p class="example-en">The teacher, even though he was tired, stayed behind to give us guidance.</p>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">respectful</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <p class="example-jp">
    <ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>出<rt>で</rt></ruby>かけるところを、<ruby>上司<rt>じょうし</rt></ruby>に<ruby>呼<rt>よ</rt></ruby>び<ruby>止<rt>と</rt></ruby>められた。
  </p>
  <p class="example-en">Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by his boss.</p>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">narrative / written</span>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <p class="example-jp">
    <ruby>電車<rt>でんしゃ</rt></ruby>を<ruby>降<rt>お</rt></ruby>りるところを、<ruby>友人<rt>ゆうじん</rt></ruby>に<ruby>見<rt>み</rt></ruby>つかった。
  </p>
  <p class="example-en">Just as I was getting off the train, I was spotted by a friend.</p>
  <div class="example-foot">
    <span class="example-tag">casual written</span>
  </div>
</div>

</div>

After reading each sentence, ask what job **ところを** is doing: recognising that an action takes place despite an inconvenient or contrary situation. That makes the nuance easier to remember than a one-word translation.

## Nuance of ところを

The key nuance is **acknowledgement of the specific moment or condition that is being interrupted — often with a polite or apologetic tone**.

This matters because learners often translate advanced grammar too literally. A pattern may look simple, but it can signal the writer’s attitude, the register, or the relationship between the speaker and listener.

For example:
- In polite expressions, it softens the request and shows the speaker is mindful of the other person’s time.
- In narratives, it adds a sense of “right at that point, something unexpected happened.”
- Compared with **のに**, which simply states a contradiction, **ところを** focuses on the timing or situational context.

<div class="note-callout">
  <div class="note-icon">⚠️</div>
  <div class="note-body">
    When used with verbs in the dictionary form, **ところを** can describe two things happening simultaneously: “while / just when doing X, Y occurred.” This usage is common in written storytelling and often overlaps with the “even though” meaning.
  </div>
</div>

## ところを vs のに

Both **ところを** and **のに** can express a contradiction, but they are different.

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp">
    <div class="a">
      <div class="cmp-head">ところを</div>
      <div class="cmp-sub">acknowledges a specific situation being interrupted</div>
    </div>
    <div class="b">
      <div class="cmp-head">のに</div>
      <div class="cmp-sub">simply means “despite” or “even though”</div>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="cmp-when"><strong>When to use which:</strong></div>
  <div class="cmp-eg">
    <p>お<ruby>忙しい<rp>(</rp><rt>いそがしい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="vs">ところを</span>、ありがとうございます。</p>
    <p class="cmp-eg-en">(Formal, shows consideration for the busy moment.)</p>
  </div>
  <div class="cmp-eg">
    <p><ruby>忙しい<rp>(</rp><rt>いそがしい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="vs">のに</span>、<ruby>手伝っ<rp>(</rp><rt>てつだっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>てくれた。</p>
    <p class="cmp-eg-en">(Casual, just states the contradiction.)</p>
  </div>
</div>

If both translations seem possible, check the tone. Is the sentence polite, business‑oriented, or expressing gratitude? **ところを** is the natural choice there.

## Common mistakes with ところを

<div class="mistakes">

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
    <div class="mline-body">
      <p>お<ruby>忙しい<rp>(</rp><rt>いそがしい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="bad">ところで</span><ruby>恐れ入り<rp>(</rp><rt>おそれいり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ます。</p>
      <p class="note">(ところで means “by the way” or “even if”, not appropriate here.)</p>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark good">✅</span>
    <div class="mline-body">
      <p>お<ruby>忙しい<rp>(</rp><rt>いそがしい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="good">ところを</span><ruby>恐れ入り<rp>(</rp><rt>おそれいり</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ます。</p>
      <p class="note">(Correct: apologising for interrupting the busy moment.)</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
    <div class="mline-body">
      <p><ruby>出かける<rp>(</rp><rt>でかける</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="bad">ところが</span>、<ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>が<ruby>降っ<rp>(</rp><rt>ふっ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ていた。</p>
      <p class="note">(ところが is a conjunction meaning “however”, not attached to a verb like this.)</p>
    </div>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark good">✅</span>
    <div class="mline-body">
      <p><ruby>出かける<rp>(</rp><rt>でかける</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="good">ところを</span>、<ruby>雨<rp>(</rp><rt>あめ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>に<ruby>降ら<rp>(</rp><rt>ふら</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>れた。</p>
      <p class="note">(Correct: “just as I was about to go out, it rained on me.”)</p>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

</div>

A helpful practice method is to write one sentence with **ところを**, then try replacing it with **のに**. If the sentence becomes too casual or loses the formal awareness, you’ve used the right pattern.

## Is ところを on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <p><strong>Yes.</strong> ところを is frequently seen in JLPT N1 grammar sections, particularly in questions testing polite expressions and contextual understanding of formal patterns.</p>
    <div class="jlpt-checks">
      <span>✔ Recognise in reading</span>
      <span>✔ Understand nuanced meaning</span>
      <span>✔ Use in set phrases</span>
    </div>
  </div>
</div>

For test preparation, memorise common collocations like **お<ruby>忙しい<rp>(</rp><rt>いそがしい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ところを** and **お<ruby>休み<rp>(</rp><rt>やすみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のところを**. JLPT questions often test whether you can distinguish it from similar‑sounding grammar like ところで or ところが.

## Practice questions for ところを

<div class="prompts">

<div class="prompt">
  <span class="prompt-num">1</span>
  <span class="prompt-text">Apologise for calling a client early in the morning.</span>
  <span class="prompt-tag">formal</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <span class="prompt-num">2</span>
  <span class="prompt-text">Thank a colleague for helping you even though they were about to go home.</span>
  <span class="prompt-tag">polite</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <span class="prompt-num">3</span>
  <span class="prompt-text">Describe a situation where a student asks a question just as the bell rings.</span>
  <span class="prompt-tag">narrative</span>
</div>

<div class="prompt">
  <span class="prompt-num">4</span>
  <span class="prompt-text">Write a sentence where replacing ところを with のに would change the politeness level.</span>
  <span class="prompt-tag">comparison</span>
</div>

</div>

Keep your first sentences simple. Once the structure feels natural, add more context so the nuance becomes clear.

## Learning path for ところを

To learn **ところを** efficiently, start with its formation, then compare it with similar patterns, and finally practice in context.

<div class="path">

<div class="path-step">
  <span class="step-num">1</span>
  <div class="step-body">Memorise two or three common phrases: お<ruby>忙しい<rp>(</rp><rt>いそがしい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ところを, お<ruby>休み<rp>(</rp><rt>やすみ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のところを, <ruby>出かける<rp>(</rp><rt>でかける</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ところを.</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
  <span class="step-num">2</span>
  <div class="step-body">Practice building sentences with different nouns (お<ruby>電話<rp>(</rp><rt>でんわ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のところを, お<ruby>食事<rp>(</rp><rt>しょくじ</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>のところを) and verbs (<ruby>勉強<rp>(</rp><rt>べんきょう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>しているところを, <ruby>帰る<rp>(</rp><rt>かえる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>ところを).</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
  <span class="step-num">3</span>
  <div class="step-body">Compare <strong>ところを</strong> with  <strong>のに</strong>. Write a pair of sentences where one requires politeness and one is casual; notice how the tone shifts.</div>
</div>

<div class="path-step">
  <span class="step-num">4</span>
  <div class="step-body">Finally, read formal emails or letters that contain ところを to see it in real-world use.</div>
</div>

</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [ともあろうものが](/blog/n1-tomo-arou-mono-ga/) — because it also expresses unexpected behaviour given someone’s status
- [ときたら](/blog/n1-tokitara/) — because it also adds an emotional reaction to a situation, though often negative
- [ともなく／ともなしに](/blog/n1-tomo-naku-tomo-nashi-ni/) — because it deals with actions happening without clear intent, overlapping with the “just as” usage of ところを
- [とされる](/blog/n1-to-sareru/) — because it also appears in formal writing and sets a formal, explanatory tone

## Learn ところを with Hane

If you want to review **ところを** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)