Structure Legend
Structure
Noun + 中 (に)
Details
Register
Standard
使用域
一般
About 中
As a suffix, 中 is frequently used to highlight a period of time (or space). By attaching the case marking particle に, 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 中 being used to show events that are in process.
中に - 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.
Examples - A day, year, house, town or country.
じゅう is used more frequently with 訓読み - (今年中, 夏休み中, 今晩中)
ちゅう is used more frequently with 音読み - (水中, 会議中, 試合中)
- 今は仕事中なんだ。I am in the middle of working right now.
- 締め切りは今月中なんです。The deadline is sometime (during) this month.
- 彼は休憩中に本を読む。He reads books during his break. (At some point during the act of taking a break)
- 私は勉強中に話されるのが嫌いだ。I don't like being talked to while studying. (At some point during the act of study)
- 今日中にレポートを提出してください。Please submit your papers by today. (Within today as the limit)
- 今年中にイタリアに行きたい。I want to go to Italy this year. (Within this year as the limit)
中に - 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.
- 食事中に電話がかかってくると、イラっとする。It ticks me off when I get a phone call while I'm eating.
Examples - A day, year, house, town or country.
- ゴミが家中に広がっていて、歩くスペースがない。There is so much garbage throughout my house, that there is no room to walk.
Caution
There is also a difference between 音読み (chinese readings of words), and 訓読み (japanese readings of words).じゅう is used more frequently with 訓読み - (今年中, 夏休み中, 今晩中)
ちゅう is used more frequently with 音読み - (水中, 会議中, 試合中)
Synonyms
とき
When, At the time of
Not studied yet
ながら
While ~ing, During, As
Not studied yet
ているところだ
In the process of doing ~ right now/at this moment
Not studied yet
の間に
While, During, Between, Period
Not studied yet
ているあいだに
While, During the time that ~
Not studied yet
最中に
In the middle of
Not studied yet
うちに
While, During
Not studied yet
Examples
一日中、勉強をした。
I studied throughout the day.
授業中に、トイレに行きたくなった。
During class, I had to go to the bathroom.
テスト中に私の携帯が鳴ってしまった。
My phone accidentally rang during the test.
まだ考え中だから、決めていないよ。
I am still thinking, so I haven't decided yet.
あの同僚は仕事中なのにいつも彼女とメールをする不真面目な奴だ。
That co-worker is so incompetent, always texting his girlfriend during work.
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.
Online
How to use 中
MaggieSensei
What is the difference between 〜ている and 〜中?
JStackExchange
How do we decide if 中 is ちゅう or じゅう?
JStackExchange
The various uses of 「中」
Tae Kim
Offline
[AIAIJ] An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese
Page 54
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
中 – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (9 in total)
rinchan93
About 2 years ago
Can someone help me with the difference between 中 and 中に ?
Can に always be dropped? Does it add meaning like 間 and 間に?
I’m so confused…考え中 / 考え中に
世界中 / 世界中に
テスト中 / テスト中に
食事中 / 食事中にありがとうございました❣️
Fuga
About 2 years ago
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 eatingWith 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
About 2 years ago
Yea! It does! Thanks for the quick reply! I appreciate your time
Got questions about 中? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion