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〜たところ

when I did (and found)

Verb た-form + ところ

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たところ reports an action and what you found or what happened as a result: 店に電話したところ、今日は休みだった, "when I called the shop, it turned out it was closed today".

The first part is something you did deliberately (called, asked, tried, looked into); the second is the discovery or outcome, often unexpected. It's common in reports, emails and storytelling.

Don't confuse it with the N4 たところだ, "have just done": 今、着いたところだ. Here ところ is followed by a comma and a second clause.

The meaning is close to the past と or たら of discovery (電話したら、休みだった), but たところ sounds more formal and careful.

Examples

  • 店みせに電話でんわしたところ、今日きょうは休やすみだった。

    When I called the shop, it turned out it was closed today.

  • 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えた。

    When I talked it over with my teacher, I got some good advice.

  • 調しらべてみたところ、簡単かんたんな問題もんだいだった。

    When I looked into it, it turned out to be a simple problem.

  • 駅えきに着ついたところ、電車でんしゃはもう出でた後あとだった。

    When I got to the station, the train had already left.

  • 新あたらしい薬くすりを試ためしたところ、よく効きいた。

    When I tried the new medicine, it worked well.

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