〜たところ

when (I) did X, (I found / it turned out that) Y

Formation: V-た form + ところ、; V-た form + ところが、 (stresses an unexpected result)

〜たところ connects a deliberate action with the result or discovery that followed it: you did X, and then found out Y or Y happened. The first clause is normally an intentional action (asking, checking, trying), and the main clause is in the past tense and describes something outside your control. It cannot be your next deliberate action, a request or an intention. It is fairly formal and common in reports, news articles and polite explanations. In meaning it is close to discovery 〜たら, but it sounds more formal and businesslike. Do not confuse it with 〜たところで (even if you do X, it's no use) or with 〜たところだ (have just done).

Variants: 〜たところが

Examples

駅員に尋ねたところ、電車は事故で止まっているとのことだった。
When I asked a station attendant, I was told the trains had stopped because of an accident.
試しに値段を下げてみたところ、売り上げが倍に伸びた。
When we tried lowering the price, sales doubled.
市が調査したところ、住民の半数以上が計画に反対していることがわかった。
A survey by the city found that over half the residents oppose the plan.

In real texts 1 occurrence(s)

遅れる生物多様性保全　地球の危機直視し行動を · 2026年11月5日

しかし、国連が現状を分析したところ、締約国の9割が目標を策定したが、すべて実現しても国際目標の達成には届かないことが明らかになった。

However, when the UN analysed the current situation, it became clear that although 90% of the parties had drawn up targets, even if they were all achieved, they would fall short of meeting the international targets.

Here the past form 分析した + ところ means: the UN carried out an analysis, and the result was 〜ことが明らかになった. Like this, 〜たところ usually leads to a discovery or outcome. The writer uses it to present the UN finding as the objective result of an investigation, which makes the bad news more authoritative. Don't confuse it with 〜たところだ ("have just done") or with 〜たところで ("even if one does, it's no use").