N280/217

~ところに・~ところへ

V-ているところにV-ているところへV-ていたところにNのところにNのところへ

Meanings

  • At the time of ~; just as ~
  • When ~; while ~; timing around ~
  • Unexpected event or action occurring at that moment
  • Toward; to a place (in directional use with ~へ)

About this pattern

Explanation

~ところに and ~ところへ are used to situate actions in time or place and to show what happens around that moment. - ~ところに is for events that occur at the exact moment or during a short period when something is in progress. It often conveys a sense of timing, sometimes with a slight surprise or a new development right after the preceding situation. - ~ところへ is used to indicate movement toward a place or direction toward something, emphasizing reaching or approaching a destination, and can also mark the moment of arrival or encounter. These forms help you describe what happened just as or just after something else, or describe someone’s movement toward a location. Commonly used with actions in progress (ている/ていた) or with verbs of motion, and with nouns when indicating location.

Learn in context

Example sentences

食事をしているところに、電話が鳴った。

A phone call rang just as we were eating.

今、出かけようとしているところに雨が降り出した。

Just as I was about to go out, it began to rain.

学校へ行くところへ、友だちが会いに来た。

As I was heading toward school, a friend came to meet me.

家の前へ来るところに、猫が飛び出してきた。

As I was about to come home, a cat jumped out in front of me.