Translation and Meaning of: 中旬 - chuujyun

If you are studying Japanese or are curious about the language, you may have come across the word 中旬[ちゅうじゅん]. It appears in specific contexts, mainly related to dates and periods of the month. In this article, we will explore the meaning, everyday use, and some tips for memorizing this expression effectively. Furthermore, we will understand how the Japanese perceive and use this term in their daily lives.

What does 中旬[ちゅうじゅん] mean?

The word 中旬 refers to the second decade of a month, typically from the 11th to the 20th. It is composed of the kanjis 中 (middle) and 旬 (period of ten days), forming a concept that divides the month into three parts: 上旬 (first decade), 中旬 (second decade), and 下旬 (third decade). This division is common in planners, schedules, and even weather forecasts in Japan.

Although the term is often used in formal contexts, such as documents and news, it also appears in everyday conversations. For example, when scheduling an appointment, a Japanese person might say "中旬に会いましょう" (Let's meet in the middle of the month) to indicate an approximate period without needing to specify an exact date.

How and when to use 中旬 in Japanese?

The use of 中旬 is more common in situations involving planning or describing periods. Companies, for example, may announce that a product will be launched "今月中旬に" (in mid of this month). Similarly, weather forecasts often mention "中旬以降" (from mid-month onwards) to indicate climate changes.

It is worth noting that, although the term is useful, it is not as common as expressions like "月末" (end of the month) or "月初め" (beginning of the month). This happens because, in practice, many people prefer exact dates or broader expressions like "半ば" (middle). Still, knowing 中旬 is essential for anyone who wants to master Japanese in formal and written contexts.

Tips for memorizing 中旬

An effective way to remember this word is to associate it with its kanji structure. The character 中 (middle) is quite common and appears in words like 中国 (China) or 途中 (on the way). Meanwhile, 旬 is less frequent, but it can be recalled for its use in 旬の食材 (seasonal ingredients), reinforcing the idea of a specific period.

Another tip is to practice with real examples, such as news or TV programs that mention dates. Watching weather forecasts in Japanese, for example, can help identify how 中旬 is used naturally. Additionally, writing the word in a calendar, marking fictional events for "中旬," also reinforces memorization.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 仲旬 (ちゅうじゅん) - Third decade of the lunar month, a period that goes from the 11th to the 20th day.

中旬

Romaji: chuujyun
Kana: ちゅうじゅん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: second third of a month

Meaning in English: second third of a month

Definition: Around the middle of the month. 10 to 20.