N3 Actions in Progress or State

~たところ: meaning, usage and examples

~たところ means: when... / just... (result of an action).

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. レシピの通とおりに作つくったところ、うまくいった。

   When I made it according to the recipe, it went well.

2. 先生せんせいに相談そうだんしたところ、いいアドバイスをもらった。

   When I consulted the teacher, I received good advice.

3. ちょうど今いま、駅えきに着ついたところです。

   I have just arrived at the station.

4. 図書館としょかんに行いったところ、今日きょうは休やすみでした。

   When I went to the library, it turned out to be closed today.

When to use it

Has two uses. First, "just did": an action has just finished (今いま、帰かえったところです). Second, the main N3 use: "when I did X, (I found that) Y." The first clause is something you tried, and the second is the result or discovery: 店みせに電話でんわしたところ、もう閉しまっていた.

Nuance

The result use is neutral to formal and common in reports and stories. The second clause is a fact you found out, not your own intention, so it is in the past and outside your control. The "just did" use is conversational and ends in ところです or ところだ.

Compare

Compare たところ (just did) with たばかり: 今いま着ついたところです means you arrived moments ago; 先週せんしゅう来きたばかりです means it feels like a short time ago, even a week or a month. たばかり can stretch; たところ cannot. For the result use, compare たら: たところ suggests trying something to see what happens.

Tip: たところ (just did) needs "right now" timing, often with 今いま or ちょうど. If the time is yesterday or last month, use たばかり instead.