Translation guide
Expresses that someone is on the verge of boarding a vehicle, such as a plane, train, or bus. Japanese uses constructions with ところ or ばかり to indicate imminent action, or simply states the boarding action with context.
To say that someone is just about to board a vehicle (plane, train, bus, etc.).
The most natural way to express 'be about to board'. ところだ indicates an action is just about to happen. Use the volitional form of the verb (乗る) before ところ.
今から飛行機に乗るところです。
I'm about to board the plane now.
彼は電車に乗るところだった。
He was about to board the train.
To say that someone has just boarded a vehicle moments ago.
Indicates an action has just been completed. Use the past tense of the verb + ばかり.
まだ席に着いていません。電車に乗ったばかりです。
I haven't taken my seat yet. I just boarded the train.
乗るところだ focuses on the moment just before boarding. 乗るばかりだ emphasizes that everything else is done and only boarding remains. 乗ろうとしている can sound slightly more deliberate or formal.
乗っている means 'is on board' or 'is riding', not 'about to board'. To express imminent boarding, use 乗るところだ or similar patterns.
彼は電車に乗っている。
He is on the train. (NOT: He is about to board the train.)
Literally 'is trying to board', this pattern also conveys imminent action. Slightly more formal or written than 乗るところだ.
乗客がバスに乗ろうとしています。
The passengers are about to board the bus.
Emphasizes that boarding is the only remaining action. Somewhat literary or emphatic.
準備は整い、あとは船に乗るばかりだ。
Preparations are complete; now we're just about to board the ship.
Similar to ばかり, but ところ emphasizes the exact moment of completion. Slightly more colloquial.
今、飛行機に乗ったところです。
I've just boarded the plane now.
He is on the train. (NOT: He is about to board the train.)