Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N2 · Intermediate 2
〜ところへ・に・を~tokoro e / ni / o
an event at that moment
Use 〜ところ with へ, に, or を to connect an event or action to the situation at that moment.
How it works
Here, 「ところ」 means the situation at that moment: doing something or being in a certain state.
A cyclist arrived while the person was walking. 「ところへ」 highlights a new event entering an ongoing situation.
Just when the person was in trouble after falling, someone spoke to them. 「ところに」 emphasizes the moment when an event happens.
With 「ところを」, the following action is directed at the situation at that moment. In the picture, someone supports a person about to fall.
「へ」 and 「に」 emphasize different aspects, but they are often interchangeable. You do not need to treat them as two absolute rules.
Use a verb in its plain form, such as 「歩いている」 or 「困っていた」, followed by 「ところ＋助詞」 (ところ + particle).
Example sentences
- 道michiをo歩いaruiてteいるiruところtokoroへ、e、後ろushiroからkara自転車jitenshaがga
In a conversation
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
When I lost my balance and was about to fall, my coworker supported me.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
道を歩いている____、後ろから自転車が来ました。
While I was walking down the street, a bicycle came from behind.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜ところへ・に・をan event at that moment