Structure
Noun + を中心 + に(1)
Noun + を中心 + にした(2) + Noun
(1) にして、として
(2) とした
Details
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Standard
About を中心に
When combined with nouns, the expression を中心に indicates that something is being 'focused on' or 'centered around'. Occasionally, it may also be translated simply as 'mainly (A)', or 'most notably (A)'. 中心 itself is a noun that expresses the 'pivot', or 'central focus point' from which something else is occurring. The case marking particleに just marks '(A) を中心に' as the target that is being focused on.
Due to 中心 itself marking a 'central point', it may also be used just to express the middle of something, rather than something that is being concentrated or focused on.
By adding する in either its dictionary or past forms, を中心にする or を中心にした may appear before another noun. This will highlight the noun that comes after as being the overall thing through which the 'focus on (A)' is taking place.
Additionally, the case-marking particle と may sometimes replace に. This change will put more nuance on the focus point being conclusive, rather than progressive or decisive.
Examples
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てるはしさんを中心に世界が回っている。
The world revolves mainly around Teruhashi-san.
マコさんはコンピューターを中心として生活をしている。
Mako leads a life centered around computers.
妻は働き、私は育児を中心に生活しています。
My wife works and I place my focus on raising the children. That is our livelihood.
あのアンテナを中心に家を何軒か建てましょう。
Let's build some houses centered around that antenna.
息子はあいかわらずお金を中心に物を考えているようだ。
As always, my son always thinks in terms that are focused on money.
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を中心にin action
NihongoDayByDay
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Tobira
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を中心に – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
testing
What does that mean?
Zoular
Matt on Game Gengo just posted a video on this grammar.
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