Learn Hardcore Japanese: ima syomei wo moratte iru tokoro da kara, sukosi matte. - I’m in the middle of getting signatures now, so wait a bit.

V‑ているところだ means “(I’m) right in the middle of V-ing,” highlighting the specific stage of the action.
V‑ている by itself can mean “be V‑ing” (progressive), a habitual state, or a resultant state depending on the verb. Adding ところ removes ambiguity and emphasizes the “right now” aspect.
With ところ, Japanese has a useful trio:
- V‑るところ = about to do (just before starting)
- V‑ているところ = in the middle of doing
- V‑たところ = just finished doing

Why is 署名 marked with を here? I thought もらう is “receive from someone.”

もらう takes the received thing as a direct object with を. So 署名をもらう = “receive a signature.”
The giver is expressed separately (often with に or から): X に/から署名をもらう = “get a signature from X.”

How do I say who I’m getting the signature from?

Common patterns:

X に署名をもらう / X から署名をもらう = get a signature from X
X の署名をもらう = get X’s signature (possessive)
X に署名してもらう = have X sign (do the act) for me
Examples: 俳優にサインをもらった。先生の署名をもらった。上司に署名してもらった。

What’s the difference between 署名 and サイン?

署名（しょめい）: formal “signature” on documents.
サイン: everyday word, also “autograph.”
In casual speech about getting an autograph, サイン is more natural: いまサインをもらってるところ. 署名 sounds more formal/official.

Is 署名をもらう the same as 署名してもらう?

They’re close but frame the action differently:

署名をもらう focuses on the thing received (the signature).
署名してもらう focuses on the act done for you (someone signs).
Both can describe the same situation. Polite/humble versions are common too: 署名をいただく, 署名していただく.

Why is there だ after ところ? Could it be です?

ところ is a noun, so you attach the copula:

Casual: ところだ
Polite: ところです
Before から/ので you need that copula with nouns/na‑adjectives: ところだから／ところですから.

Can I use ので instead of から? What’s the nuance?

Yes. ので sounds softer/more objective; から is more direct and common in casual speech.

いま…ところですので、少々お待ちください。 (politer)
いま…ところだから、少し待って。 (casual)

Is it normal to put the reason first: …だから、少し待って?

Yes. Japanese often gives the reason first, then the request/command. You could also split it:

少し待って。いま署名をもらっているところ。 Both are natural in casual speech.

How polite is 少し待って? What are better options in different registers?

Very casual: ちょっと待って, ちょい待って (slangy)
Casual/neutral: 少し待って
Casual but smoother: ちょっと待ってて (keep waiting)
Polite: 少し待ってください
More polite/formal: 少々お待ちください
Use 〜てください or お待ちください when speaking to non‑intimates, customers, seniors, etc.

What’s the difference between 待って and 待ってて?

待ってて is a contraction of 待っていて and implies “keep waiting (for a bit)” during an ongoing situation. In this sentence, 少し待ってて fits well because you’re in the middle of getting a signature.

Why is いる here—does it mean “to be”?

This いる is part of the aspect marker V‑ている, which often indicates progressive aspect (“be doing”). It’s not the standalone “exist” meaning.
Note: V‑ている can also mark resulting states (e.g., 結婚している = be married), but ところ clarifies the progressive “right now” reading.

Do I need いま if 〜ているところ already means “right now”?

You can omit いま. 〜ているところ already locates the action in the present moment. いま adds emphasis or helps the flow: いま、…ところだから feels natural in speech.

How would I say this more politely?

Several options:

Neutral‑polite: 今、署名をもらっているところですから、少しお待ちください。
More honorific toward the signer: ただいま、署名をいただいておりますので、少々お待ちください。
If you want to stress the act they’re doing for you: ただいま、署名していただいているところですので、少々お待ちください。

Can I replace ところ with something like 最中?

Yes. 最中（さいちゅう） emphasizes “right in the very middle of.”

今、署名をもらっている最中だから、少し待って。
This can sound a touch stronger or more formal than ところ.

Is 署名をもらっているところ natural, or should it be 署名を書いてもらっているところ?

Both are acceptable.

署名をもらっているところ is fine and common.
署名を書いてもらっているところ makes the act (writing) explicit, which some speakers prefer when highlighting the ongoing action.

Why is it もらって and not もらい before いる?

V‑ている always uses the て‑form of the verb: もらって + いる. The ます‑stem (もらい) doesn’t combine with いる for progressive aspect.

Are there casual contractions or particle drops I should know here?

もらっている → もらってる
だから often merges: だ + から = だから
In casual speech, particles like を may be dropped in fast conversation: 署名もらってるところ. For learners, keep particles in place until you’re comfortable with when they can be omitted.