even so; however; even though~ (ところが) – Japanese Grammar ところが (tokoro ga)

Q: What JLPT level is ところが?

JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Q: How do you use ところが in a sentence?

Attach ところが to the appropriate verb or noun form. Even so; however; even though~

Q: Is ところが formal or casual Japanese?

ところが can be used in both casual conversation and polite speech depending on context.

ところが

N3 GRAMMAR ⏱ 0s study 📖 0 today

tokoro ga

even so; however; even though~

ないことはない nai koto wa nai だらけ darake てごらん te goran てもかまわない temo kamawanai たびに tabi ni んだって ndatte 的 teki さえ sae というのは to iu nowa せいぜい seizei によると /によれば ni yoru to/ni yoreba それとも soretomo に関する ni kan suru ばかりでなく bakari denaku 別に～ない betsu ni~nai わけがない wake ga nai は別として wa betsu toshite きり kiri 中 chuu / juu どんなに～ても donna ni~temo ないことはない nai koto wa nai だらけ darake てごらん te goran てもかまわない temo kamawanai たびに tabi ni んだって ndatte 的 teki さえ sae というのは to iu nowa せいぜい seizei によると /によれば ni yoru to/ni yoreba それとも soretomo に関する ni kan suru ばかりでなく bakari denaku 別に～ない betsu ni~nai わけがない wake ga nai は別として wa betsu toshite きり kiri 中 chuu / juu どんなに～ても donna ni~temo

🃏 Flashcard

ところが

tokoro ga

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even so; however; even though~

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📊 Pattern Stats

JLPT Level N3

Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast

Reading tokoro ga

Post ID 50960

Patterns today 0

0 / 10 daily goal

📝 Usage Notes

even so; however; even though~

📖 How to use it

Connects two sentences to show that the second fact contradicts expectations from the first, like 'however' or 'even so'.

Attaches to Attaches to the plain past tense form of verbs and adjectives (e.g., 言った, 高かった) or to a noun + だった. It is a conjunction, so it comes at the beginning of the second sentence, not inside it.

ところが is used to introduce a result or fact that goes against what the first sentence made you expect. It is similar to 'however' in English, but it is more strongly contrastive—it often marks a surprising twist. For example, you might say 'I studied hard for the exam. However, I failed.' The second part is unexpected given the first.

This is a written and spoken conjunction, but in conversation it can sound a bit formal. Often people use でも or けど for a lighter contrast. ところが is also a set phrase, not a particle, so it always starts a new sentence or clause.

Be careful: ところが also exists as a different grammar point meaning 'far from' or 'anything but', used after dictionary forms (e.g., 言うところが). That is a separate pattern, and the meaning is opposite. In this entry we only cover the 'however' meaning.

あの店は評判が良かった。ところが、行ってみたら閉店していた。

Ano mise wa hyouban ga yokatta. Tokoro ga, itte mitara heiten shite ita.

That shop had a good reputation. However, when I went there, it had closed.

彼はとても優しそうに見える。ところが、実は怒りっぽいらしい。

Kare wa totemo yasashisou ni mieru. Tokoro ga, jitsu wa okorippoi rashii.

He looks very kind. Even so, apparently he is actually quick-tempered.

天気予報では晴れると言っていた。ところが、午後から大雨が降った。

Tenki yohou de wa hareru to itte ita. Tokoro ga, gogo kara ooame ga futta.

The weather forecast said it would be sunny. However, it rained heavily from the afternoon.

Not しかし / でもしかし and でも are general 'but' conjunctions, used for any contrast. ところが specifically marks an unexpected or surprising result, so it is stronger. If the second sentence is not surprising, use しかし or でも.

Register Neutral but slightly formal; common in writing and formal speech, less common in casual conversation where でも is preferred.

🎯 Quick Quiz

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ところが

📚 How to Master This Pattern

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Press Hear it and repeat ところが three times. Feel the rhythm — grammar patterns have a natural flow.

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Write Two Sentences

Compose two original sentences using ところが. One about yourself, one about something you see right now.

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Spaced Review

Save this pattern and revisit at 10 min, 1 day, 3 days. Production (writing) beats recognition for grammar.

🔗 More JLPT N3 Patterns

in the same way as; in the way; as~

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the grammar pattern ところが mean? ▼

Even so; however; even though~

What JLPT level is ところが? ▼

Nihoner currently groups this pattern under JLPT N3 — Intermediate · Expressing nuance & contrast. Use the level label as study guidance rather than a prediction of what will appear on an exam.

How do you use ところが in a sentence? ▼

Attach ところが (tokoro ga) 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 ところが formal or casual Japanese? ▼

ところが is used in both casual and polite contexts. It appears frequently in everyday conversation, textbooks, and simple written materials.

How can I remember ところが 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.