Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 1: 3/22

(ちゅう)During, While, Throughout, In the process of

Can be read as じゅう/ちゅう

Structure

Noun + (ちゅう)

Details

  • Register

    Standard

About 中

As a suffix, (ちゅう) is frequently used to highlight a period of time (or space). By attaching the case marking particle to 中, the sentence can be modified to show that (B) is happening/existing throughout the timeframe/space of (A). This is often translated as 'throughout (A), (B)', or 'during (A), (B)'. First, let's take a look at (ちゅう) being used to show events that are in process.

Now, to show that a (B) event is happening within (A), simply add the case marking particle to show a 'temporal location'. This will be done by attaching to the end of any noun that you would like to indicate as the being the 'space' within which another thing exists/occurs.

In these examples, we can see that (ちゅう) is sometimes read/said as (じゅう)に. The basic rule for when to use ちゅう or when to use じゅう is as follows:

(ちゅう) - Expresses a very specific (usually small) amount of time/space, or something that is not always the same (an amount of time/space that can change, depending on the person/situation). This 'thing' that ちゅう highlights is usually a 'process', and therefore means that (A) is 'in the process' of happening.

Examples - A meeting, class, visit to somewhere.

(じゅう) - Expresses a predetermined amount of time/space that will always remain the same, regardless of the person/situation. Therefore, じゅう does not highlight a 'process', but focuses on the 'length' or 'space' itself. This tends to mean 'all throughout', as it focuses on the full amount of time/space.

Examples - A day, year, house, town or country.

Caution

There is also a difference between 音読(おんよ)み (Chinese readings of words), and 訓読(くんよ)み (Japanese readings of words).

じゅう is used more frequently with 訓読(くんよ)み - (今年中(ことしじゅう), 夏休(なつやす)(じゅう), 今晩中(こんばんじゅう)).

ちゅう is used more frequently with 音読(おんよ)み - (水中(すいちゅう), 会議中(かいぎちゅう), 試合中(しあいちゅう)).



Examples

--:--

    一日(いちにち)(じゅう)勉強(べんきょう)をした。

    I studied (all) throughout the day.

    授業(じゅぎょう)(ちゅう)、トイレに()きたくなった。

    During class, I had to go to the bathroom.

    食事(しょくじ)(ちゅう)にスマホをいじるのはやめなさい。

    Quit playing on your smartphone while you are eating!

    まだ(かんが)(ちゅう)だから、()めていないよ。

    I am still in the process of thinking, so I haven't decided yet.

    テスト(ちゅう)(わたし)携帯(けいたい)()ってしまった。

    My phone accidentally rang during the test.

  • Get more example sentences!

    Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.

Self-Study Sentences

Study your own way!

Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.

中 – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (10 in total)

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey there!

    に cant always be dropped, especially when it is used to mark a specific event/time when something happens as @Pushindawood has said.

    考え中 / 考え中に While thinking/ at the time I was thinking
    世界中 / 世界中に Around the world/ (at) Around the world
    テスト中 / テスト中に During the test/ at the time the test was being taken
    食事中 / 食事中に In the middle of eating/ at the time I was eating

    With and without the に, they both mean during~/while~/ throughout~/ in the process of~ , but the ones with に emphasizes that it is happening at a specific time. 今、テスト中。Would translate as ‘I’m in the middle of a test,’ and would not need to have a に. テスト中に電話がかかってきた。would translate as ‘My phone rang while I was taking a test’, and in this sentence you can see how the に was used to emphasize that the person got a phone call during a specific time.

    I hope that makes a little more sense.

  • rinchan93

    rinchan93

    Yea! It does! Thanks for the quick reply! I appreciate your time

  • Newkidi

    Newkidi

    Im struggle with the difference with の間 I tried the difference section on thr page but that doesnt help much. When it comes to nouns Nounの間 mean while A. I came across a sentence of 在学中に留学したい so my thing is how’s this different then 在学の間留学したい im not understanding the difference the both mean while or during. Looking online another not alot of people have thought of the difference makes me feel like im the only one

Got questions about 中? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!

Join the Discussion