Meaning
Distinguishes an action that is about to begin, is in progress, or has just finished.
Formation
- Vる + ところ: about to start: 出かけるところです
- Vている + ところ: right now: 作っているところです
- Vた + ところ: just finished: 終わったところです
When to use it
- Core use
- About to, doing now, just did
Examples
20 sentences-
今から出かけるところです
I am just about to go out.
-
今ちょうど晩ご飯を作っているところです
I am in the middle of making dinner.
-
今ちょうど電車に乗るところです
I am just about to board the train.
-
学生たちは今試験を受けているところです
The students are in the middle of taking an exam.
-
たった今空港に着いたところです
I have just arrived at the airport.
-
これから昼ご飯を食べるところです
I am just about to eat lunch.
-
父は今お風呂に入っているところです
My father is in the middle of taking a bath.
-
ちょうどあなたに電話するところでした
I was just about to call you.
12 more examples
-
今起きたところなのでまだ眠いです
I have just woken up, so I am still sleepy.
-
花火が始まったところです
The fireworks have just begun.
-
これから空港へ出かけるところです
I am just about to leave for the airport.
-
今夕食を作っているところです
I am in the middle of making dinner.
-
たった今宿題が終わったところです
I have just finished my homework.
-
これから先生に電話するところです
I am just about to call the teacher.
-
今バスを待っているところです
I am waiting for the bus right now.
-
今メールを送ったところです
I have just sent the email.
-
ちょうど寝るところでした
I was just about to go to bed.
-
今家を出たところです
I have just left the house.
-
まだ説明を読んでいるところです
I am still in the middle of reading the explanation.
-
今駅に着いたところなので少し待ってください
I have just arrived at the station, so please wait a little.
Important notes
- Dictionary, ている and た forms locate an action just before, during or just after it.
Common mistakes
- ているところ emphasizes the current stage, not an ordinary long-term habit.
Check yourself
Pick the translation of each sentence. The wrong options translate similar patterns, so watch the grammar rather than the words.
Similar grammar
Hear it in podcasts
The pattern appears in these episodes. They open in the app with the transcript and translation.
The trainer requires a free account. Examples and practice questions on this page are available without signing up.