～最中に
～saichuu ni
Formation
Verb-て form + いる + 最中に, Noun + の + 最中に
In the middle of / while doing something.
When to use
ている + 最中に: right in the middle of, usually when interrupted.
Explanation
The ～最中に grammar point is used to indicate that something happens during the middle of an action or situation. It can be translated as 'in the middle of' or 'while' in English. It often involves appending 最中に to a verb in 〜ている form or a noun plus の.
Example sentences
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The phone rang while I was taking a nap.
Hirune o shiteiru saichuu ni denwa ga natta.
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A fire broke out in the middle of cooking.
Ryouri o tsukutteiru saichuu ni kaji ga okotta.
会議の最中に急な用事で出なければならなかった。
I had to leave during the meeting because of an urgent matter.
Kaigi no saichuu ni kyuu na youji de denakereba naranakatta.
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An earthquake occurred during the exam.
Shiken no saichuu ni jishin ga okotta.
Stage Of An Action (About To / In The Middle Of / Just Did)
- Noun + 中Noun + ちゅうN4Express 'in the middle of', 'during', or 'in the process…
- ～ところ〜tokoroN2Express a specific point in time or state; 'when', 'just…
- Verb て いる ところVerb te iru tokoroN4Describes an action that is currently happening; 'in the…
- Verb た ところVerb ta tokoroN4Expresses the situation right after an action has taken…
- ～かけ〜kakeN3Expresses the meaning of being in the middle of doing…
- ～たて～tateN3Indicates an action that has just been completed…
- ～つつある〜tsutsu aruN2Expresses an ongoing process or gradual change.
Corpus examples (12)
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If your stomach growls in the middle of a test, that's pretty embarrassing.
ある日、私は猫と遊んでいる最中に、とうとうその耳を噛んでしまったのである。
One day, while I was playing with my cat, I finally bit his ear.
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He began to tremble during the movie.
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He often breaks into the middle of a conversation.
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He fainted in the midst of his speech.
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The doorbell rang during the meal.
私がジョンと電話で話している最中に、交換手が割り込んできた。
While I was talking on the telephone with John, the operator cut in.
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I fell asleep in the middle of the lecture.
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They were cut off in the middle of their telephone conversation.
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Cindy dozed off in the middle of her graduation examinations.
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To talk during a concert is rude.
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May I interrupt?