noun
mid-year gift; summer gift
A customary gift given in mid-July (around the Obon period) to express gratitude, typically to relatives, superiors, or business contacts. Often contrasted with お歳暮 (year-end gift).
See also: 中元
毎年、お世話になっている上司にお中元を贈っています。
Every year I send a mid-year gift to my boss, who has been very helpful.
デパートのお中元コーナーで、のりとビールの詰め合わせを選んだ。
At the department store's summer gift section, I chose a set of nori and beer.