Grammar Info
N1 Lesson 3: 12/17

ところを
when, while, in spite of (the circumstances), regardless of (the circumstances)

Structure
Verb + ところ(を)
[い]Adjective + ところ(を)
[な]Adjective + ところ(を)
Noun + + ところ(を)
Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
Information
  • [ところ is a formal/polite construction used to express that the speaker acknowledges that they are inconveniencing the listener despite them being busy, in a hurry, resting, etc. Generally, it is followed by an apology, greeting, request, or expression of gratitude]
  • [It can be used even if the listener is not actually busy to simply add politeness (since it is polite to assume so) and you can think of it as a filler]
  • [を is often omitted]
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先生(せんせい)からの返信(へんしん)のお礼(れい)言(い)う:「お忙(いそが)しいところを、ご返信(へんしん)ありがとうございます。」
Expressing gratitude to a teacher for their reply: "In spite of being busy, thank you for your reply."
[ところ is generally used with expressions like お忙しい、お出かけ、お急ぎ、お疲れ、疲れている、お楽しみ、ご多忙、べき、お休み、Noun + 中, etc.]
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目上(めうえ)の人(ひと)に尋(たず)ねる:「お急(いそ)ぎところを恐縮(きょうしゅく)ですが、このプロジェクトについてのご意見(いけん)をお聞(き)かせ願(ねが)えませんか」
Asking a superior: "I hate to trouble you when you are in such a hurry, but could you let me hear your opinion about this project?"
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メール:「ご病気(びょうき)中(ちゅう)のところを恐(おそ)れ入(い)りますが、田中(たなか)先生(せんせい)の携帯(けいたい)の番号(ばんごう)を教(おし)えていただけますでしょうか。」
Email: "I am awfully sorry to trouble you when you are ill, but could you tell me Mr. Tanaka’s cell number?"
[Noun + 中のところを is a relatively common pattern]
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Books
Try N1
Page 98
Shin Kanzen Master N1 Bunpou
Page 36
A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 494