〜ているところです
right in the middle of doing
Show when one action happens in relation to another.
Remember it
Place two moments on a timeline and join them with 〜ているところです.
Understand
Build the pattern
Sentence formula
How it works
Describes what you are doing right now. Useful when someone asks about your task status: 今、調べているところです (I'm looking into it right now). Compare: 〜するところです (about to do), 〜したところです (just did).
When to use it
Use it for routines, status updates, sequences, and telling stories.
Tone: Polite
A safe choice for everyday conversations, shops, school, and the workplace.
Use
Hear it in real life
Everyday life
Example 1今、バグの原因を調べているところです。
いま、ばぐの げんいんを しらべているところです。
ima, bagu no gen'in o shirabete iru tokoro desu
I am in the middle of investigating the cause of the bug right now.
At work
Example 2資料を作っているところです。
しりょうを つくっているところです。
shiryou o tsukutte iru tokoro desu
I am in the middle of making the documents.
Make it yours
Choose one example. Replace one person, place, object, or time with a detail from your life, then say the new sentence aloud.
Recall
Test your memory
Recall practice
Can you say it?
1 of 2
Read the situation, look away from the answer, and say the Japanese aloud.
Your situation
I am in the middle of investigating the cause of the bug right now.
The answer is hidden. Try to use 〜ているところです.
Remember tomorrow
Save this pattern as a flashcard
Review the meaning and formula later so today’s lesson moves into long-term memory.