最中(さいちゅう)

さいちゅう
noun
in the middle of, during
formal
See also: 真(ま)っ最中(さいちゅう) (emphatic form)
1. in the middle of, during
While something is happening; at the peak of an activity.
会議(かいぎ)の最中(さいちゅう)に
In the middle of a meeting.
食事(しょくじ)の最中(さいちゅう)
During a meal.
仕事(しごと)の最中(さいちゅう)に電話(でんわ)がかかってきた。
A phone call came in the middle of work.
試験(しけん)の最中(さいちゅう)に地震(じしん)が起(お)きて、全員(ぜんいん)が避難(ひなん)した。
An earthquake occurred during the exam, and everyone evacuated.
友達(ともだち)と電話(でんわ)で話(はな)している最中(さいちゅう)に、急(きゅう)にバッテリーが切(き)れてしまった。
While I was talking on the phone with a friend, the battery suddenly died.

最中(さいちゅう) means "in the very middle of" an activity or event. It emphasizes that the action is actively in progress at that moment.

Common patterns

Similar words

  • 最中(さいちゅう): right in the middle of (emphasizes the peak of activity)
  • 途中(とちゅう): midway through, on the way (emphasizes being partway through)
  • 間(あいだ)に: during (more general time frame)

Watch out

Do not confuse with 最中(もなか), a completely different word meaning a traditional Japanese wafer sweet filled with bean paste.

Register

Slightly formal. In casual speech, ～している時(とき)に is more natural.

Related Words

Compare: 途中(とちゅう) (midway through (emphasizes being partway))
Compare: 間(あいだ) (during (more general))
Compare: 真(ま)っ只中(ただなか) (right in the middle of)
Compare: 期間中(きかんちゅう) (during the period)
core
Added 2026.1.11 17:56 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
02500/02821_saichuu