JLPT N1 grammar

〜たところでmeaning and usage

Meaning

Even if A; although A (is done)

How to form it

  • verb (ta-form)ところで
  • いくら/どんなにverb (ta-form)ところで

How it is used

'Even if A is done, it won't bring the hoped-for result'; B is negative or calls the effort pointless, as the speaker's own judgement. It can also mean 'even so, at most…': 「頑張ったところで三位がせいぜいだ」.

Examples

  1. 私たちが話し合ったところで何も解決しないわ。

    Even if we discuss it, we're not going to reach any kind of resolution.

  2. 一人で文句を言ったところで、規則は変わらない。

    Even if you complain on your own, the rules won't change.

  3. いくら謝ったところで、割れたお皿は元に戻らない。

    No matter how much you apologise, the broken plate won't be whole again.