Japanese word

ところが

Pronunciation

Romajitokoroga

Meaning

  • conjunctionbut

Example

弟は来ませんでした。ところが、妹は来ました。otōto wa ki ma se n de shi ta to ko ro ga imōto wa ki ma shi ta

My brother did not come. But my sister did.

Illustration for ところが (but)

More examples

店は開いているはずでした。ところが、今日は休みでした。mise wa hira i te i ru ha zu de shi ta to ko ro ga kyō wa yasu mi de shi ta

The store should have been open. However, it was closed today.

Core concept

Introduces a surprising change in the situation that contrasts with the direction suggested by what came before.

Similar words

でもdemo: Introduces a contrasting statement in a casual, conversational style.
けれどもkeredomo: Connects two statements with a contrast and is common in polite speech and writing.
しかしshikashi: Introduces a contrast with the preceding statement, often in a formal or written style.
なのにnanoni: Introduces a result that is contrary to what the preceding statement suggests.

Definition in Japanese

前に述べた事柄から考えられる展開とは異なる事柄を、後に続けて示す接続語。mae ni no be ta koto gara ka ra kanga e ra re ru ten kai to wa koto na ru koto gara o ato ni tsuzu ke te shime su setsu zoku go

Word origin

The word ところが (tokoroga) comes from ところ (tokoro, "situation") followed by が (ga, "but"), a combination that connects a situation with an opposing outcome.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, ところが (tokoroga) is useful when the second statement is not merely different but unexpected in light of the first.

Word lists with this word