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.
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
Common patterns:
- お忙しいところを
- お休みのところを
- 出かけるところを
- 勉強しているところを
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
お忙しいところを、恐れ入りますが、少々お時間をいただけますか。
I’m sorry to bother you when you’re busy, but could I have a moment of your time?
雨のところを、わざわざお越しいただきありがとうございます。
Thank you for coming all this way even though it’s raining.
先生はお疲れのところを、私たちのために残って指導してくださいました。
The teacher, even though he was tired, stayed behind to give us guidance.
彼は出かけるところを、上司に呼び止められた。
Just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by his boss.
電車を降りるところを、友人に見つかった。
Just as I was getting off the train, I was spotted by a friend.
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.
ところを vs のに
Both ところを and のに can express a contradiction, but they are different.
お忙しいところを、ありがとうございます。
(Formal, shows consideration for the busy moment.)
忙しいのに、手伝ってくれた。
(Casual, just states the contradiction.)
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
お忙しいところで恐れ入ります。
(ところで means “by the way” or “even if”, not appropriate here.)
お忙しいところを恐れ入ります。
(Correct: apologising for interrupting the busy moment.)
出かけるところが、雨が降っていた。
(ところが is a conjunction meaning “however”, not attached to a verb like this.)
出かけるところを、雨に降られた。
(Correct: “just as I was about to go out, it rained on me.”)
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?
Yes. ところを is frequently seen in JLPT N1 grammar sections, particularly in questions testing polite expressions and contextual understanding of formal patterns.
For test preparation, memorise common collocations like お忙しいところを and お休みのところを. 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
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.
Related grammar to review next
- ともあろうものが — because it also expresses unexpected behaviour given someone’s status
- ときたら — because it also adds an emotional reaction to a situation, though often negative
- ともなく／ともなしに — because it deals with actions happening without clear intent, overlapping with the “just as” usage of ところを
- とされる — 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.
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FAQ about ところを
What does ところを mean in Japanese?
ところを means “although (it is a certain time/condition); even though normally” in Japanese. It is an N1 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is ところを on the JLPT?
ところを is taught as N1 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N1 patterns.
How should I practice ところを?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after ところを, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.