最中(さいちゅう)に

Composed of 最中(さいちゅう) (in the midst of) and the particle に. Often used when an interruption or unexpected event occurs during an ongoing activity.

Common patterns

Attaches to nouns or verb dictionary form + の:

• 食事(しょくじ)の最中(さいちゅう)に: in the middle of eating
• 話(はな)している最中(さいちゅう)に: in the middle of talking
• 寝(ね)ている最中(さいちゅう)に: while sleeping

Similar words

• ～中(ちゅう)に: during — more neutral, less emphasis on 'right in the middle'
• ～ている途中(とちゅう)で: halfway through — emphasis on the midpoint of a process
• ～最中(さいちゅう)だ: to be in the middle of (predicative) — 今(いま)まさに作業(さぎょう)の最中(さいちゅう)だ (I'm right in the middle of work)

Watch out

Do not confuse 最中(さいちゅう) (in the middle of) with 最中(もなか) (a traditional Japanese wafer cake filled with bean paste). Same kanji, different readings and meanings.