KANJI
tool
TRANSLATOR
tool
DICTIONARY
tool

Particle TOKORO GA (ところが)

1. 

The structure "verb in -TA form + TOKORO GA" means "although, but, however". It is placed between two clauses to emphasize the opposition between what was expected, and what eventually happened. The result can be good or bad.

Notice that the -TA form is often understood as the past form for verbs. But in this structure, the verb must always take the -TA form, not necessarily conveying any meaning of the past tense.

虹を見に外へ行ったところが、もうなくなっていた。
にじ を み に そと へ いった ところ が、もう なくなって いた。
I went outside to see the rainbow, but it had already disappeared.
今日の試合は勝てないと思っていたところが、勝てた。
きょう の しあい は かてない と おもっていた ところ が、かてた。
Although I thought I wouldn’t win the game, I won!