～途中で・～途中に
On the way or partway through something
You’ll be able to place an event in the middle of a journey, process, or unfinished activity.
ドライブの途中で、牛を見ました。
doraibu no tochuu de, ushi o mimashita.
What do you think this sentence means?
We saw cows partway through our drive.
On the way or midway through
～途中で means “in the middle of” or “on the way to.” It places an event during an unfinished journey or activity. ～途中に is also possible, especially when describing the point along the way.
映画の途中で、寝てしまいました。
eiga no tochuu de, nete shimaimashita.
I fell asleep partway through the movie.
学校へ行く途中で、先生に会いました。
gakkou e iku tochuu de, sensei ni aimashita.
I met my teacher on the way to school.
Use a journey, activity, or process
Use dictionary-form verb + 途中で, noun + の途中で, or a compound such as 帰宅途中. 途中に is also used, especially for a point along the way. The action before 途中 is unfinished when the main-clause event happens.
仕事の途中で、少し休みました。
shigoto no tochuu de, sukoshi yasumimashita.
I took a short break in the middle of work.
帰る途中に、新しい店を見つけました。
kaeru tochuu ni, atarashii mise o mitsukemashita.
I found a new shop on my way home.
会社へ行く途中で、コンビニに寄ってコーヒーを買います。
kaisha e iku tochuu de, konbini ni yotte koohii o kaimasu.
On my way to work, I stop at a convenience store and buy coffee.
試合の途中で、雨のため中止になりました。
shiai no tochuu de, ame no tame chuushi ni narimashita.
The match was stopped partway through because of rain.
帰宅途中に、駅で財布を落としてしまいました。
kitaku tochuu ni, eki de saifu o otoshite shimaimashita.
On my way home, I dropped my wallet at the station.
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