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Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 26

Structure of ~ている所(ところ)だ:

Verb[ている]+ ところ +

Details about ~ている所(ところ)だ:

In the previous grammar point, we learned that たところ (or ていたところ) will mean 'just did (A)', or 'was just doing (A)'. ているところ works in a similar way, but expresses that someone is right in the middle of doing something. It is regularly translated as 'doing (A) right now', or 'in the process of (A)'.
  • 仕事(しごと)ているところから(あと)電話(でんわ)する
    I am in the middle of work right now, so I will call you later, okay?
  • 昨日(きのう)近所(きんじょ)泥棒(どろぼう)警察(けいさつ)から()ているところ()
    Yesterday, I saw a burglar running away from the police in my neighborhood.
~ている所(ところ)だ

Usage Notes for ~ている所(ところ)だ:

Using ているところ will indicate that someone is 'busy with (A)', and would therefore not be used when changing actions suddenly. In these cases ているところだった would be used, before the (B) phrase would further explain what happened next.
  • 映画(えいが)()ているところだったから電話(でんわ)()なかった
    I was in the middle of watching a movie, so I couldn't answer the phone.
  • ギター()ているところだったからメッセージに気付(きづ)なかった
    I was in the middle of playing my guitar, so I didn't notice your message.

Synonyms for ~ている所(ところ)だ:

ている①
Is, Am, Are (~ing)
とき
When, At the time of
ているあいだに
While, During the time that ~
途中に・途中で
On the way, Partway, In the middle of
During, While, Throughout, In the process of
最中に
In the middle of
うちに
While, During
の間に
While, During, Between, Period
ながら
While ~ing, During, As
ついでに
While you are at it, On the occasion
~ところに・~ところへ
At the time, When, While, Timing

Example of ~ている所(ところ)だ

(いま)映画(えいが)()ているところです

I am in the process of watching a movie right now.

(いま)(とう)さん富士山(ふじさん)(のぼ)ているところです

My dad is in the process of climbing Mt. Fuji right now.

(いま)先生(せんせい)()ているところです

I am in the process of asking the teacher right now.

(ぼく)(いま)日本語(にほんご)勉強(べんきょう)ているところだけど

I am in the process of studying Japanese right now. (Annoyed that he is being interrupted)

(かれ)スターバックス(はい)って()(とき)(わたし)コーヒー()でいるところだった

When he came into Starbucks, I was in the process of drinking coffee (at that moment).

Grammar same lesson

様(よう)に言(い)う

To tell, request, or order to do (in such a way)
See detailsreport

~たばかり

Just did, Something just happened
See detailsreport

様(よう)にする

To try to, To make sure to, To endeavor to
See detailsreport

なければならない

Must do, Have to do
See detailsreport

様(よう)に祈(いの)る

Pray that/for, Hope that/for, Keep fingers crossed that
See detailsreport
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