JLPT N5 Grammar: ところ – “Place,” “When” in Japanese

By ProDev Teach | Updated May 2025

???? Meaning & Usage

The word **ところ** (tokoro) has several meanings depending on the context, but it is most commonly used in the following ways:

• As a noun meaning “place” or “location.”
• To indicate a specific point in time or situation, like “when” or “the time when.”
• In expressions like **～ところだ** to indicate an action that is about to happen or has just happened.

Structure:

• Place: 場所 (ばしょ) + ところ (e.g., 駅のところ – at the station)
• Point in time: Verb (dictionary form) + ところ (e.g., 出発するところです – I am about to depart)
• Indicating a point in time with action: Verb (て-form) + ところ (e.g., 食べているところです – I am eating now)

???? Example Sentences

• 今、駅のところにいます。
  I am at the station now.
• 出発するところです。
  I am about to depart.
• ご飯を食べているところです。
  I am eating right now.
• 映画の後に行くところです。
  I am going after the movie.
• ここはすごく静かなところです。
  This is a very quiet place.

???? Grammar Notes

• When **ところ** is used with a verb in the dictionary form, it refers to a time when something is about to happen (e.g., **出発するところ** – the time to leave).
• When used with a verb in the て-form, it indicates the action that is in progress (e.g., **食べているところ** – I am eating now).
• **ところ** can also mean a place or location (e.g., **駅のところ** – at the station).
• In expressions like **～ところだ**, it indicates that the action is either about to happen or has just happened (e.g., **行くところだ** – I am about to go).

???? Practice Exercises

1. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of **ところ**:

1. 今、家に______です。
2. 出かける______です。
3. 今、昼ごはんを食べる______です。
4. 公園に行く______です。

✔ Sample Answers:

• 今、家にいるところです。
• 出かけるところです。
• 今、昼ごはんを食べているところです。
• 公園に行くところです。

2. Translate into Japanese using **ところ**:

1. I am at the bus stop.
2. I am about to study.
3. I was about to leave when the phone rang.
4. He is walking to the park now.

✔ Sample Answers:

• 私はバス停のところにいます。
• 私は勉強するところです。
• 電話が鳴った時、私は出かけるところでした。
• 彼は今、公園に行くところです。

???? Vocabulary List

• 駅（えき） – station
• 家（いえ） – house
• 出発（しゅっぱつ） – departure
• 昼ごはん（ひるごはん） – lunch
• 公園（こうえん） – park

???? Kanji List

• 駅（えき） – station
• 家（いえ） – house
• 出（で） – to go out
• 公（こう） – public, park
• 昼（ひる） – noon, lunch

???? Related Grammar

• ところで – This expression is used to shift topics, similar to “by the way” in English.
• ～とき – Refers to a specific time, “when” something happens. It can be used similarly to **ところ**, but typically refers to a more general point in time.
• ～後（あと） – After (something), used to indicate a time after an event or action has taken place.

???? Summary

• Meaning: **ところ** can mean “place” or “location” but can also indicate a specific point in time, or the time when something happens.
• Usage: **ところ** is used with verbs to indicate actions about to happen, in progress, or just completed. It can also refer to a place.
• Level: JLPT N5

???? Related Grammar & Vocabulary

• JLPT N5 Grammar List – 60 Essential Grammar Points
• そう思います – I think so
• そうだ – I heard that
• た-form – past tense; completed action
• て-form – connects actions; request form
• てください – please do ~
• と – and; with; if/when
• とき – when
• は – topic marker
• よく – often; well

thuandao

I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.