1.
center, middle
The middle point or part of something.
部屋の中央に立った。
I stood in the center of the room.
テーブルの中央に花を置いた。
I placed flowers in the center of the table.
広場の中央に噴水がある。
There is a fountain in the center of the plaza.
2.
central (government, authority)
Relating to the main governing body or headquarters, as opposed to local or regional entities.
中央銀行が金利を決める。
The central bank sets interest rates.
中央政府と地方自治体の関係が議論されている。
The relationship between the central government and local governments is being discussed.
この問題は中央と地方の両方で考える必要がある。
This issue needs to be considered by both central and local authorities.
中央 means the center or middle, often in formal, institutional, or geographic contexts. Combines 中 (middle) + 央 (center).
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 中央政府 (central government)
- 中央銀行 (central bank)
- 中央線 (Chuo Line — major Tokyo train line)
- 中央分離帯 (road median)
- 中央集権 (centralization of power)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 中央に置く (to place in the center)
- 中央に位置する (to be located in the center)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 真ん中: center, middle (casual, everyday)
- 中心: core, heart, center (figurative importance: 都市の中心)
- 中央: center (formal, institutional, physical position)
Related Words
Related:
中心 (core, center)