Grammar JLPT Level N4 - Lesson 6
Structure of ~る所(ところ)だ:
Verb[る] + ところ + だ
Details about ~る所(ところ)だ:
The noun ところ (sometimes shortened to とこ) is often used to describe the 'place' or 'situation' in which something happens. The primary determining factor for the nuance of ところ, is the tense of the verb it follows. When it is in the non-past form, ところ means 'about to (A)', or 'on the verge of (A)'.
- 彼は手紙を書くところだ。He is about to write a letter.
- 今から友達と会うところです。I'm about to meet my friend.
~る所(ところ)だ
Usage Notes for ~る所(ところ)だ:
When the kanji form of 所 is used, it is often referring to an actual physical location, rather than a situation/standpoint. However, this is something that native speakers will sometimes mistake. Therefore, seeing the kanji form, and the hiragana form, are both relatively common.
- いまの所...This current place…
- いまのところ...This current situation…
Synonyms for ~る所(ところ)だ:
ところだった ①
Almost, Nearly, About to, On the verge of
Verb[volitional]とする
Try to, Attempt to, To be about to
かけ
Half-, Not yet finished, About to, Begin to
たところだ
Just finished doing, Was just doing
Example of ~る所(ところ)だ
今から帰るところです。
I am just about to go home.
友達が話し手を待っている時、電話:「家から出るところだから、もうすぐ着くよ。」
When a friend is waiting on the speaker, phone call: 'I am about to leave home, so I will be there soon.'
ちょうど出かけるところだ。
I am about to leave right now.
宿題をするところで、友達から電話が入った。
Just when I was about to do my homework I got a call from a friend.
パソコンの電源を切るところで、あの音を聞いた。
Just as I was about to turn off my computer, I heard that sound.
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