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〜たところで

even if (it'd be pointless)

Verb た-form + ところで

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たところで means "even if you did", with the strong implication that it wouldn't help: 今から急いだところで、間に合わない, "even if we hurry now, we won't make it".

The second half is negative or pessimistic: it won't change, won't help, is too late, is only a small amount. It's often paired with いくら or どんなに: いくら説明したところで、彼にはわからない.

It always follows a た-form, even for the future. That's what distinguishes it from たところ (N3), "when I did (and found)", which is about something that actually happened.

It can also downplay an amount: 失敗したところで、大した損はない, "even if it fails, it's no big loss".

Examples

  • 今いまから急いそいだところで、間まに合あわない。

    Even if we hurry now, we won't make it.

  • 謝あやまったところで、許ゆるしてもらえないだろう。

    Even if I apologise, they probably won't forgive me.

  • いくら説明せつめいしたところで、彼かれにはわからない。

    No matter how much I explain, he won't understand.

  • 心配しんぱいしたところで、何なにも変かわらない。

    Worrying won't change anything.

  • 今いまさら後悔こうかいしたところで、もう遅おそい。

    It's too late for regrets now.

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