Translation and Meaning of: 中 - chuu

The Japanese word 中[ちゅう] is a versatile term frequently used in the language, carrying meanings that range from "inside" to "in progress." If you are learning Japanese, it is essential to understand how this word functions in different contexts, from everyday conversations to more formal expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, practical uses, and even some curiosities that can aid in memorization.

Meaning and common uses of 中[ちゅう]

The term 中[ちゅう] can be translated as "inside," "middle," or "during," depending on the context. It is often used to indicate that something is happening at the moment or within a specific space. For example, in compound words like 仕事中[しごとちゅう] (during work) or 会議中[かいぎちゅう] (during a meeting), it conveys the idea of an action in progress.

Additionally, 中 can appear in everyday situations, such as on signs indicating 営業中[えいぎょうちゅう] (open) or 準備中[じゅんびちゅう] (preparing). This flexibility makes it a fundamental word for those who wish to communicate naturally in Japanese.

Origin and structure of the kanji 中

The kanji 中 is composed of a vertical stroke that represents a central line, surrounded by a rectangle that symbolizes limits or a defined space. This visual structure helps to understand its meaning of "inside" or "middle." Its origin dates back to ancient Chinese characters, where it already carried the idea of centrality.

It's worth noting that 中 also has other readings, such as なか (naka), but ちゅう is especially common in compound words that indicate time or state. This duality of readings is an important aspect for Japanese students, as it directly influences how the word is used in different situations.

Tips for memorizing and using 中[ちゅう]

An effective way to memorize 中[ちゅう] is to associate it with situations where something is happening within a period or space. For example, when you see a store with the sign 営業中, remember that it is "within" the hours of operation. This visual association can make learning easier.

Another tip is to practice with common compound words, such as 勉強中[べんきょうちゅう] (studying at the moment) or 電話中[でんわちゅう] (on the phone). Using these expressions in everyday sentences helps to reinforce the meaning and correct application of the term. Over time, their use will become more intuitive.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 真ん中 (mannaka) - center, middle, central part
• 中央 (chuuou) - center, central part, central position, usually used in geographical or institutional contexts
• 中心 (chuushin) - center, focus, central point, denotes importance or concentration
• 中間 (chuukan) - intermediate, middle, refers to the position between two extremes
• 中央部 (chuuoubu) - central part, refers to an internal section of a whole
• 中核 (chuukaku) - core, the central part that is essential or fundamental
• 中枢 (chuusuu) - central nerve, controlling or decisive element of a system
• 中心部 (chuushinbu) - central area, region that encompasses the physical or functional center
• 中央地 (chuuouchi) - central area refers to a place or region in the center of a defined space
• 中央部分 (chuuoubun) - central part, segment that makes up the center of something

中

Romaji: chuu
Kana: ちゅう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: average; mediocre

Meaning in English: medium;mediocre

Definition: "Naka" is a word used to refer to the center or middle part of something, or to express that something is in a middle position.

Example Sentences - (中) chuu

See below some example sentences:

大臣は政治家の中でも重要な役割を果たしています。

Daijin wa seijika no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Ministers play an important role among politicians.

The minister plays an important role among politicians.

• 大臣 - minister
• は - Topic particle
• 政治家 - political
• の - Possessive particle
• 中でも - Especially among
• 重要な - Important
• 役割 - role/function
• を - Direct object particle
• 果たしています - performs (present progressive)

官庁は政府の中枢機関です。

Kanchō wa seifu no chūsō kikan desu

The government is a central government agency.

• 官庁 - government agency
• は - Topic particle
• 政府 - government
• の - Possession particle
• 中枢機関 - central body
• です - verb to be in the polite form

彼は車を運転中に猫を轢いてしまった。

Kare wa kuruma o untenchuu ni neko o hikikatte shimatta

He ran over a cat while driving.

He ran over a cat while driving a car.

• 彼 - pronoun that means "he"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "he"
• 車 - noun that means "car"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "car"
• 運転中 - compound noun that means "during driving"
• に - particle indicating the moment when the action took place, in this case, "during the driving"
• 猫 - noun that means "cat"
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "cat"
• 轢いてしまった - compound verb that means "ran over/accidentally ran over"

彼らは心中を図った。

Karera wa shinjuu o hakatta

They attempted a double suicide.

They tried in the heart.

• 彼ら - pronoun that means "they"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 心中 - noun meaning "double suicide"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 図った - verb in the past that means "tried"

心臓は体の中で最も重要な器官です。

Shinzou wa karada no naka de mottomo juuyou na kikan desu

The heart is the most important organ in the body.

• 心臓 (shinzou) - heart
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 体 (karada) - body
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中 (naka) - inside
• で (de) - Location particle
• 最も (mottomo) - the most
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 器官 (kikan) - organ
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

昆虫は自然の中でとても重要な役割を果たしています。

Kunchū wa shizen no naka de totemo jūyōna yakuwari o hatashite imasu

Insects play a very important role in nature.

• 昆虫 (konchuu) - Insects
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 自然 (shizen) - nature
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中で (chuu de) - Inside of
• とても (totemo) - very
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 役割を果たしています (yakuwari wo hatashite imasu) - play a role

林の中にはたくさんの鳥がいる。

Hayashi no naka ni wa takusan no tori ga iru

There are many birds in the forest.

• 林 - means "forest" in Japanese
• の - possession particle, indicating that the forest belongs to someone or something
• 中 - means "inside" or "in the middle" in Japanese
• に - particle of location, indicating where something is
• はたくさんの - "muitos" em japonês significa "多く" (おおく, ooku).
• 鳥 - means "birds" in Japanese
• が - subject particle, indicating that the birds are the subject of the sentence
• いる - verb that means "to exist" or "to be present" in Japanese

瓶の中には美味しい酒が入っている。

Bin no naka ni wa oishii sake ga haitte iru

There's a delicious good in the bottle.

• 瓶 (bin) - bottle
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 中 (naka) - inside
• に (ni) - Location particle
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美味しい (oishii) - delicious
• 酒 (sake) - Japanese alcoholic beverage
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 入っている (haitteiru) - to be contained/inside

皮を剥くと中身が出てくる。

Kawa wo muku to nakami ga dete kuru

When the skin peels off

When the skin is peeled, the contents come out.

• 皮 - means "shell" or "skin".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 剥く - verb meaning "to peel" or "to shell".
• と - particle that indicates the connection between two things.
• 中身 - It means "content" or "interior."
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 出てくる - verb that means "to come out" or "to appear."

私は車の中で吐いてしまった。

Watashi wa kuruma no naka de haiteshimatta

I threw up in the car.

I threw up in the car.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 車 (kuruma) - Japanese noun that means "car"
• の (no) - possessive particle that indicates that the car belongs to someone
• 中 (naka) - Japanese noun meaning "inside"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the place where the action took place
• 吐いてしまった (haite shimatta) - Japanese verb that means "vomited" (in the past and with a connotation of regret)