中ちゅう元げん

noun

15th day of the 7th lunar month; last day of Bon lantern festival

Refers to the traditional date in the lunar calendar, now associated with the end of the Obon festival period. Often used in historical or cultural contexts.

• 旧きゅう暦れきの7月がつ15日にちは中ちゅう元げんと呼よばれ、盆ぼんの最さい終しゅう日びとされています。

  The 15th day of the 7th lunar month is called Chūgen, and it is considered the last day of the Bon festival.

noun

mid-year gift; summer gift; Bon Festival gift

Commonly used in the phrase お中元 to refer to gifts given in mid-summer, typically in July, to express gratitude. The standalone form 中元 is less frequent in modern everyday speech.

See also: お中元

• 今年ことしのお中ちゅう元げんには、地じ元もとの特とく産さん品ひんを贈おくろうと思おもいます。

  For this year's summer gift, I'm thinking of sending local specialties.

• デパートの中ちゅう元げんギフトコーナーは毎まい年とし賑にぎわいます。

  The mid-year gift section in department stores is busy every year.