中
in, inside, middle, mean, center
Readings
On'yomi
- チュウ
Kun'yomi
- なか
- うち
- あた.る
Nanori
- あたる
- かなえ
Meaning
中 centers on the idea of being inside a bounded space or interval: in, inside, middle, or center. The sense of 'mean' (as in average) extends naturally from the middle point of a range.
Most common words using 中
24 of 1,553- 中なかN5
inside; interior
- 中じゅうN4
(all) through (e.g. the night); throughout (e.g. the year); all ... long
- 中ちゅうN3
medium (size); average (grade, level, etc.); middle
- 中国ちゅうごくN5
China
- 中々なかなかN5
very; considerably; easily; readily; fairly; quite; highly; rather
- 中心ちゅうしんN3
center; centre; middle; heart; core; focus; pivot; emphasis; balance
- 途中とちゅうN4
on the way; en route
- 中央ちゅうおうN3
centre; center; middle; heart
- 集中しゅうちゅうN3
concentration (on a task); focusing one's attention
- 連中れんちゅうN1
company; lot; people; bunch; gang; pack; guys; group; folks
- 中身なかみN2
contents; interior; filling
- 中止ちゅうしN4
interruption; discontinuance; suspension; stoppage
- 世の中よのなかN3
society; the world; the times
- 世界中せかいじゅうN4
around the world; throughout the world
- 背中せなかN4
back (of the body)
- 中学ちゅうがくN3
junior high school; middle school; lower secondary school
- 中学生ちゅうがくせいN1
junior high school student; middle school pupil
- 中継ちゅうけいN2
relay; hook-up
- 中古ちゅうこN3
used; second-hand; old
- 真ん中まんなかN4
middle; centre; center; midpoint; heart
- 中華ちゅうか
China
- 中間ちゅうかんN2
middle; midway; halfway; centre; center
- 中世ちゅうせいN2
Middle Ages (in Japan esp. the Kamakura and Muromachi periods); medieval times; mediaeval times
- 中学校ちゅうがっこうN5
junior high school; middle school; lower secondary school
Study
Etymology
中 is a pictograph of a line or flagpole piercing the center of a box or target, representing the middle or inside.
Meaning mnemonic
The vertical line | passes straight through the center of the box 口, marking the exact middle. Picture an arrow hitting the bullseye: 中 is the center, inside the target.
Reading mnemonic
For チュウ, imagine a cheerful 'chew' sound as you bite into the center of a juicy fruit: chew -> チュウ, and the sweet middle is the best part.