中

Pattern visualization

Examples

1. かばんの中に本があります。▶ —
   There is a book in the bag.
2. 一日中働きました。▶ —
   I worked all day.

Collocations

Mnemonic

中 — TWO readings, TWO functions: ① なか naka standalone = "inside, middle" ② ちゅう chuu as suffix = "throughout / during". 一日中 ichinichi-juu (all day), 世界中 sekai-juu (worldwide), 仕事中 shigoto-chuu (during work).

Quick check

1. "The biggest in the world" — natural Japanese?

   • 世界で一番大きい sekai de ichiban ookii (de = "within scope")
   • 世界中で一番大きい (acceptable, emphasizes "throughout the world")
   • 世界が一番大きい (= "the world is biggest", absurd)
   • 世界に一番大きい (wrong particle)