1.
in the midst of, in the middle of, at the height of
Refers to the very middle of an ongoing action, event, or season. Often emphasizes that something is at its peak or most intense point.
Reading note: The same kanji 最中 (read さいちゅう) is more commonly used in everyday speech, especially in the pattern 〜している最中. The reading さなか is more literary.
Common patterns
Similar words
- 最中: neutral, common in everyday speech (different reading of the same kanji); さなか is literary and stresses the peak or critical point
- 途中: in the middle of (a process, journey)