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たところで
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ta tokoro de
even if; no matter (who, what, when...)
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たところで
ta tokoro de
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even if; no matter (who, what, when...)
N1
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📊 Pattern Stats
JLPT Level N1
Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms
Reading ta tokoro de
Post ID 51365
Patterns today 0
0 / 10 daily goal
📝 Usage Notes

even if; no matter (who, what, when...)

📖 How to use it

Expresses that even if a certain action or state is achieved, the expected result will not follow; it's useless or futile.

Attaches to Attach to the past tense (た-form) of a verb: V-た + ところで.

This pattern is used to say that even if you do something, it won't lead to the desired outcome. It often carries a tone of resignation or criticism, implying the effort is wasted. It's similar to saying 'even if' but with a stronger sense of futility. The result that follows is usually negative or expresses that nothing changes. For example, you might say this to someone who thinks working harder will solve a problem, but you believe it won't.

It is often paired with expressions like 無駄だ (useless) or 同じだ (the same), or with phrases like 〜ない (negative) to emphasize that the outcome won't change. Note that it is not used for hypotheticals that could be positive; it's exclusively for negative, disappointing results. In conversation, you might hear it in arguments or when giving a reality check.

This pattern is fairly formal and more common in written Japanese or in speeches. In casual speech, people might use 〜たって or 〜ても instead, which are less formal and more direct.

今さら謝ったところで、許してもらえないだろう。
Imasara ayamatta tokoro de, yurushite moraenai darou.
Even if you apologize now, you probably won't be forgiven.
急いで行ったところで、間に合わないよ。
Isoide itta tokoro de, ma ni awanai yo.
Even if you hurry there, you won't make it in time.
たくさん働いたところで、給料は変わらない。
Takusan hataraita tokoro de, kyuuryou wa kawaranai.
Even if you work a lot, your salary won't change.
Not 〜ても 〜ても simply means 'even if' without implying futility. たところで specifically suggests the result is useless or disappointing, so it often pairs with negative outcomes.
Register Formal and often used in writing or in set phrases; in casual speech, 〜たって is more natural.
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たところで
📚 How to Master This Pattern
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does the grammar pattern たところで mean? ▼
Even if; no matter (who, what, when...)
What JLPT level is たところで? ▼
Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N1 — Advanced · Literary, rhetorical & rare forms. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.
How do you use たところで in a sentence? ▼
Attach たところで (ta tokoro de) to the appropriate verb or noun form as described in the usage notes. Then try writing two original sentences — one about yourself and one about something around you.
Is たところで formal or casual Japanese? ▼
たところで is used in formal or written contexts. You will see it mainly in written texts, news, business Japanese and academic contexts.
How can I remember たところで long-term? ▼
Use the flashcard on this page for active recall — see the pattern, reconstruct the usage from memory, then flip. Follow with the 4-choice quiz to distinguish it from similar patterns. Review later the same day and again over the following days. Writing original sentences can help you practise using the pattern in context.