最中(さいちゅう)

さいちゅう
noun
in the middle of, during
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)

CAUTION:
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

Contrast: 途中(とちゅう) (midway through (emphasizes being partway))
Contrast: 間(あいだ) (during (more general))
core
Added 2026.1.11 17:56 · Revised 2026.5.23 1:23
02500/02821_saichuu