JapaneseJLPT
JLPT N4 grammar · Chapter 6

~中

In the middle of an activity or period

You'll be able to say that an activity is underway or that something falls within a stated period.

Illustration of the scene described by Ren is studying.
Read it first

蓮れんは勉強べんきょう中ちゅうです。

ren wa benkyouchuu desu.

What do you think this sentence means?

Ren is studying.

Why it means that

Mark an activity in progress

~中ちゅう says an activity is currently underway. It is common in short status descriptions such as studying, eating, or being in a meeting.

Example

今いまは食事しょくじ中ちゅうです。

ima wa shokujichuu desu.

I am eating at the moment.

How it is built

Form and use ~中

In 勉強べんきょう中ちゅう and 食事しょくじ中ちゅう, 中ちゅう is read ちゅう. Do not attach it directly to a verb dictionary form. Other compounds, such as 一日いちにち中じゅう meaning “all day,” may use じゅう; learn the reading with the expression.

Activity noun+中
Examples

今いまは食事しょくじ中ちゅうです。

ima wa shokujichuu desu.

I am eating at the moment.

母ははは会議かいぎ中ちゅうです。

haha wa kaigichuu desu.

My mother is in a meeting.

Examples

田中たなかは今いま電話でんわ中ちゅうです。

tanaka wa ima denwachuu desu.

Tanaka is on the phone right now.

工事こうじ中ちゅうなので、この道みちは通とおれません。

koujichuu na node, kono michi wa tooremasen.

Construction is going on, so you can't go through on this road.

授業じゅぎょう中ちゅうは、スマホを使つかわないでください。

jugyouchuu wa, sumaho o tsukawanaide kudasai.

Please don't use your phone during class.

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