N4 Reporting Speech

~ところ: meaning, usage and examples

~ところ means: just about / on the verge of doing something.

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

Examples

1. 今いま、出でかけるところです。

   I'm just about to go out.

2. ちょうど昼ひるごはんを食たべたところです。

   I've just finished eating lunch.

3. これから晩ばんごはんを作つくるところです。

   I'm just about to make dinner.

4. 今いま、部屋へやを掃除そうじしているところです。

   I'm in the middle of cleaning my room right now.

When to use it

ところ points to an exact moment in an action. Dictionary form + ところ means you are about to do it: これから出でかけるところです. ているところ means you are in the middle of it: 今いま、掃除そうじしているところです. たところ means you have just finished: 今いま、着ついたところです. Often used to explain why you cannot do something right now.

Nuance

Neutral and very common in conversation, especially on the phone or when someone interrupts you. 今いま often come with it. It describes the stage of an action at that moment, not a longer period.

Compare

たところ and たばかり both mean "just did". たところ is the exact moment right after: 今いま、駅えきに着ついたところです. たばかり is how recent it feels, and can be weeks ago: 先月せんげつ入はいったばかりです. ている alone does not stress the moment: 掃除そうじしています.

Tip: Look at the verb form before ところ: dictionary = before, ている = during, た = right after. One word, three moments.