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GRAMMAR
ところが
even so
however
Explanation
NOTE

ところが introduces a result contrary to what was expected. It means however or even so — specifically when the outcome is surprising or disappointing.

早起はやおきした。ところが、電車でんしゃは遅おくれていた。
I woke up early. However, the train was delayed.
Used to introduce a situation that is the opposite of what you expected based on the previous clause.
NOTE
  • The key nuance is unexpectedness — the result defies what was anticipated.
  • Stronger contrast than でも or しかし.
  • The second clause often describes something that went against the speaker's hopes or predictions.
試験しけんはかんたんだと思おもった。ところが、とても難むずかしかった。
I thought the exam would be easy. However, it was very difficult.
This highlights a contrast between an expectation (the exam being easy) and the reality (it was hard).
STRUCTURE
... ところが ...
薬くすりを飲のんだ。ところが、全然ぜんぜん効きかなかった。
Kusuri o nonda. Tokoroga, zenzen kikanakatta.
I took the medicine. However, it had no effect at all.
天気予報てんきよほうでは晴はれると言っていた。ところが、雨あめが降ふり出だした。
Tenkiyohou dewa hareru to itte ita. Tokoroga, ame ga furidashita.
The weather forecast said it would be sunny. However, it started raining.
彼女かのじょは来くるはずだった。ところが、連絡れんらくもなく現あらわれなかった。
Kanojo wa kuru hazu datta. Tokoroga, renraku mo naku arawarenakatta.
She was supposed to come. However, she didn't show up without any contact.

Practice exercises

1
旅行りょこうを楽たのしみにしていた。ところが、病気びょうきで行いけなかった。
I was looking forward to the trip. However, I got sick and couldn't go.
Answer
ところが
2
簡単かんたんだと思おもった。ところが、実じつは難むずかしかった。
I thought it would be easy. However, it was actually difficult.
Answer
ところが
3
電車でんしゃが来くると思おもった。ところが、事故じこで止とまっていた。
I thought the train would come. However, it had stopped due to an accident.
Answer
ところが
4
昨夜は雨が降った。ところがところが、今朝は晴はれている。
It rained last night. However, this morning it is...
Answer
晴はれている
5
薬くすりを飲のんだ。ところが、全然ぜんぜん効きかなかった。
I took the medicine. However, it had no effect at all.
Answer
ところが
6
試験しけんはかんたんだと思おもっていた。ところが、とても難むずかしかった。
I thought the exam would be easy. However, it was very difficult.
Answer
ところが
7
彼女かのじょは来くるはずだった。ところが、連絡れんらくもなく現あらわれなかった。
She was supposed to come. However, she didn't show up without any contact.
Answer
ところが
8
昨夜は雨が降った。ところがところが、今朝は晴はれている。
It rained last night. However, this morning it is...
Answer
晴はれている
9
早はやく起おきた。ところが、バスが来こなかった。
I woke up early. However, the bus didn't come.
Answer
ところが