JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N3 grammar · Chapter 18

ところが

Introduce a result that goes against expectation

You’ll be able to shift from background information to a surprising or contradictory development.

Illustration of the scene described by I opened the box. However, there was nothing inside.
Read it first

箱はこを開あけた。ところが、中なかには何なにもなかった。

hako o aketa. tokoroga, naka ni wa nani mo nakatta.

What do you think this sentence means?

I opened the box. However, there was nothing inside.

Why it means that

Introduce a surprising contradictory outcome

ところが is a conjunction meaning "however" or "to one's surprise". It introduces an unexpected, contrary factual development that goes against what was anticipated.

Examples

急いそいで駅えきへ行いった。ところが、電車でんしゃは遅おくれていた。

isoide eki e itta. tokoroga, densha wa okurete ita.

I hurried to the station. But, as it turned out, the train was late.

店みせに行いった。ところが、休やすみだった。

mise ni itta. tokoroga, yasumi datta.

I went to the shop. However, it was closed.

How it is built

Place ところが at the start of the contrasting sentence

Use ところが at the beginning of a sentence. The preceding clause establishes an expectation or plan, and the following sentence describes the surprising contrary reality that actually occurred.

sentence A (expectation)。ところが、sentence B (unexpected fact)。
Example

試験しけんは簡単かんたんだと思おもっていた。ところが、難むずかしくて半分はんぶんも解とけなかった。

shiken wa kantan da to omotte ita. tokoroga, muzukashikute hanbun mo tokenakatta.

I thought the exam would be easy. However, it was difficult and I couldn't even solve half of it.

Compare

しかし vs ところが

Both mean “however”. しかし is a general contrast, and it can lead into your own opinion or plan. ところが only introduces an unexpected fact that actually happened, never what you think or want to do.

  • しかし, however (general)

    天気てんき予報よほうは晴はれだった。しかし、念ねんのため傘かさは持もって行いこう。

    tenki yohou wa hare datta. shikashi, nen no tame kasa wa motte ikou.

    The forecast said sunny. However, let's take an umbrella just in case.

    Can lead to your own plan; ところが can’t be used here.

  • ところが, however (to my surprise)

    天気てんき予報よほうは晴はれだった。ところが、雨あめが降ふった。

    tenki yohou wa hare datta. tokoroga, ame ga futta.

    The forecast said sunny. But, to our surprise, it rained.

    Only an unexpected fact that actually happened.

Examples

三時間さんじかんかけてカレーを作つくった。ところが、子こどもたちは一口ひとくちしか食たべなかった。

sanjikan kakete karee o tsukutta. tokoro ga, kodomotachi wa hitokuchi shika tabenakatta.

I spent three hours making curry. But the kids only ate one bite.

評判ひょうばんのレストランを予約よやくして行いった。ところが、料理りょうりはあまりおいしくなかった。

hyouban no resutoran o yoyaku shite itta. tokoro ga, ryouri wa amari oishiku nakatta.

I booked a popular restaurant and went. But the food wasn’t very good.

薬くすりを飲のんで早はやく寝ねた。ところが、朝あさになると熱ねつはもっと高たかくなっていた。

kusuri o nonde hayaku neta. tokoro ga, asa ni naru to netsu wa motto takaku natte ita.

I took medicine and went to bed early. But in the morning, my fever was even higher.

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