〜ところを (~tokoro o) — even though you are ~ (polite thanks / apology)

You troubled someone while they were busy or resting — so you thank them or apologise. A polite, formal phrase.

Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)

N N + の + ところを

い-adj い-adj + ところを

Verb V普通形 + ところを

Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)

When to use it

Picture your manager opening a company event: 「本日はお忙しいところをお集まりいただき、ありがとうございます」(thank you for coming today, busy as you are).
Or you must call a customer on their day off: 「お休みのところを申し訳ありません」.

Meaning

「〜ところを」carries the thought 'you were in this situation, and right then I troubled you.'
It is always etiquette: it shows respect for the listener's situation, usually followed by thanks (〜ていただき、ありがとうございます) or an apology (申し訳ありません・すみません).
「〜べきところを」(「本来なら伺うべきところを」) = 'I should have done it, but…'.
One more use: 「危ないところを助けられた」= I was saved right at the dangerous moment.

How to attach

Noun + 「の」: お休みのところを
い-adjectives and verbs attach directly: お忙しいところを・休んでいるところを
In speech the 「を」is often dropped: 「お忙しいところすみません」

Versus what you know

N2「〜にもかかわらず」also means 'even though', but that is just a stiff word for reporting a fact.

Watch out

It is not used for your own busyness, or for a plain fact with no thanks or apology.

Examples (उदाहरणहरू)

お忙しいところをお時間をいただき、ありがとうございます。

おいそがしいところをおじかんをいただき、ありがとうございます。

Thank you for giving me your time when you are so busy.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) お忙しい = busy (respectful) → it's an い-adj, so attach 「ところを」 as it is = even though you are busy → then the thanks: お時間をいただき、ありがとうございます.

お休みのところを突然お電話して、申し訳ありません。

おやすみのところをとつぜんおでんわして、もうしわけありません。

I'm sorry to call you suddenly on your day off.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) お休み = day off / rest (a noun) → add 「の」: お休みの → 「ところを」 = even though you are resting → then the apology: 突然お電話して、申し訳ありません.

本来ならこちらから伺うべきところを、わざわざお越しいただき恐縮です。

ほんらいならこちらからうかがうべきところを、わざわざおこしいただききょうしゅくです。

We should really have come to you, yet you took the trouble to visit us — we are most grateful.

How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 本来なら = properly speaking → 伺うべき = (we) should have gone → 「ところを」 = at a time when we should have done that → わざわざお越しいただき = you came all the way yourself → 恐縮です = very grateful / embarrassed.

Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)

Question: 1/3

「お疲れ＿＿＿、遅くまで手伝っていただき、ありがとうございました。」— fill the blank.

💡 Hint: お疲れ is a noun — what goes after a noun?