no matter how much; even if (it won't help)

Verb past + ところで says that even doing something fully will not change a negative outcome. It usually pairs with a negative or futile result. Use it to express that an effort would be pointless.

Examples

• 今いまから急い[いそい]だところで、間まに合あわない。

  Ima kara isoida tokoro de, maniawanai.

  Even if we hurry now, we won't make it.

• 謝あやまったところで、許ゆるしてくれないだろう。

  Ayamatta tokoro de, yurushite kurenai darou.

  Even if I apologize, they probably won't forgive me.

Vocabulary in these examples

• 今 now
• 急ぐ to hurry
• 間に合う to be in time
• 謝る to apologize
• くれる to give (to me)

Related patterns · Contrast and concession

• 〜のに even though; despite (with surprise or complaint)
• 〜くせに even though; and yet (critical)
• 〜ものの although; even though (formal)