Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 2: 16/17

～る所(ところ)だAbout to, On the verge of

In this use, ところ means stage/level/situation

Structure

Verb［る］ + ところ + だ

Details

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About るところだ

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)'.

Caution

When the kanji form of 所(ところ) 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.

Related

Examples

--:--

    今(いま)から帰(かえ)るところです。

    I am just about to go home.

    ちょうど出(で)かけるところだ。

    I am about to leave right now.

    髪(かみ)の毛(け)を切(き)るところでした。

    I was on the verge of cutting my hair. (just about to)

    出(で)かけるところなので洗(あら)い物(もの)ができない。

    I am just about to go out, so I cannot do the dishes.

    宿題(しゅくだい)をするところで、友達(ともだち)から電話(でんわ)が入(はい)った。

    Just when I was about to do my homework I got a call from a friend.

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