Verb (ている / た / dictionary form) + ところに / ところへ

[Just when / Right at the moment when]

Connection: Verb (ている / た / dictionary form) + ところに / ところへ

Usage: Expresses that at the exact moment when something was happening (or about to happen, or just happened), another event occurred — often unexpectedly. Emphasizes the timing.

Examples:

ちょうど出かけようとしたところに、友達が来た。(Just when I was about to go out, a friend came.)

困っているところに、先輩が助けてくれた。(Right when I was in trouble, my senior helped me.)

ご飯を食べているところへ、電話がかかってきた。(Right when I was eating, a phone call came.)