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 + の + ところ（を）
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Details
Register Formal
使用域 硬い
所
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）を言（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）ぎのところを恐縮（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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    Breakdown, notes, and examples
    JGram
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    Page 98
    Shin Kanzen Master N1 Bunpou
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    A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
    Page 494
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