Translation and Meaning of: 中 - chuu
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 中 (chuu) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: chuu
Kana: ちゅう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: average; mediocre
Meaning in English: medium;mediocre
Definition: "Naka" is a word used to refer to the center or middle part of something, or to express that something is in a middle position.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (中) chuu
The word 「中」(ちゅう, chuu) is a Japanese Kanji that carries multiple meanings and is widely used in both Japanese and Chinese. In the Japanese language, it can be translated as "middle", "center", or "inside", depending on the context in which it is used. This Kanji is present in many compound words, reflecting its versatility and importance in the language.
Etymologically, 「中」has a pictographic origin, representing a vertical line crossing a square or circle, symbolizing something that is located in the middle or center. In ancient times, this graphic representation was used to indicate the idea of centrality or balance. In the Chinese context from which the Kanji was derived, it also carries the meaning of "China" (as in the term 「中国」- Zhōngguó). This concept of centrality is culturally reflected in the idea that China is the center of Asian civilization.
In the Japanese reading system, 「中」 has two main readings: the on'yomi reading, which is 「ちゅう」 (chuu), and the kun'yomi reading, which is 「なか」 (naka). The on'yomi reading is often used in compound words or words of Chinese origin, such as 「中心」 (chuushin), which means "center," and 「中学」 (chuugaku), which means "junior high school." On the other hand, the kun'yomi reading is more frequently used in isolation, when the Kanji appears alone or in native combinations.
In addition to its linguistic applications, 「中」 has relevance in cultural and historical aspects. For example, in Japanese culture, the idea of balance and centrality is appreciated in both philosophical contexts and in garden and architectural design. In everyday language, the use of 「中」 reflects an emphasis on harmony and the interconnectedness between different elements, demonstrating how the Japanese language is deeply rooted in cultural and philosophical concepts.
Synonyms and similar words
- 真ん中 (mannaka) - center, middle, central part
- 中央 (chuuou) - center, central part, central position, usually used in geographical or institutional contexts
- 中心 (chuushin) - center, focus, central point, denotes importance or concentration
- 中間 (chuukan) - intermediate, middle, refers to the position between two extremes
- 中央部 (chuuoubu) - central part, refers to an internal section of a whole
- 中核 (chuukaku) - core, the central part that is essential or fundamental
- 中枢 (chuusuu) - central nerve, controlling or decisive element of a system
- 中心部 (chuushinbu) - central area, region that encompasses the physical or functional center
- 中央地 (chuuouchi) - central area refers to a place or region in the center of a defined space
- 中央部分 (chuuoubun) - central part, segment that makes up the center of something
Words related
Words with the same pronunciation: ちゅう chuu
How to Write in Japanese - (中) chuu
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (中) chuu:
Example Sentences - (中) chuu
Below are some example sentences:
Suiji wa kaji no naka demo juuyou na yakuwari wo ninatte imasu
Cooking is an important role among household chores.
Cooking plays an important role in housework.
- 炊事 - Food preparation, kitchen
- 家事 - Housework
- 中でも - Among them, especially
- 重要な - Importante
- 役割を担っています - Plays a role
Yonaka ni wa shizuka na fun'iki ga tadayotte iru
During the night
There is a quiet atmosphere in the middle of the night.
- 夜中には - in the middle of the night
- 静かな - adjective meaning "silent"
- 雰囲気が - noun that means "atmosphere" or "environment", followed by the particle indicating the subject of the sentence
- 漂っている - verb meaning "to float" or "to hover", conjugated in the present continuous tense
Kanryou wa seifu no naka de juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashite imasu
Bureaucrats play an important role in government.
Bureaucrats play an important role in government.
- 官僚 - bureaucrats
- は - topic particle
- 政府 - government
- の - possession particle
- 中で - among
- 重要な - important
- 役割を - role, function
- 果たしています - perform
Chuu chuu jouzu ni narimashita ne
You've improved a lot.
You got better.
- 中々 (nakanaka) - adverb meaning "quite," "very"
- 上手 (jouzu) - adjective that means "good", "skilful"
- に (ni) - particle that indicates the manner or way something is done
- なりました (narimashita) - verb that means "to become", "to stay"
- ね (ne) - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation
Bijinesu wa sekaijuu de juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu
Business plays an important role all over the world.
Business plays an important role all over the world.
- ビジネス - katakana word meaning "business"
- は - topic particle
- 世界中 - an expression that means "all over the world"
- で - particle that indicates the place where something happens
- 重要な - adjective meaning "important"
- 役割 - noun meaning "role" or "function"
- を - direct object particle
- 果たしています - verb meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill", conjugated in the present affirmative
Yasei no doubutsu ga mori no naka wo hashitte iru
Wild animals are running in the forest.
- 野生の動物 - wild animal
- が - subject particle
- 森の中 - inside the forest
- を - direct object particle
- 走っている - running
Yami no naka ni hikari ga aru
There is light in the dark.
- 闇 - means "darkness" in Japanese.
- の - particle of possession in Japanese, which indicates that "darkness" is the possessor.
- 中 - means "in the middle" or "inside" in Japanese.
- に - location particle in Japanese, which indicates that "in the middle" or "inside" is the location.
- 光 - Means "light" in Japanese.
- が - subject particle in Japanese, which indicates that "light" is the subject.
- ある - verb "exist" in Japanese, which indicates that "light" exists.
Renchuu wa watashitachi to issho ni iku tsumori desu ka?
Are you planning to come with us?
Will they go with us?
- 連中 (renchuu) - means "they" or "them all"
- は (wa) - topic particle, indicates that "they" are the subject of the sentence
- 私たち (watashitachi) - means "we"
- と (to) - particle indicating a connection or company, in this case, "with"
- 一緒に (issho ni) - means "together"
- 行く (iku) - means "to go"
- つもりですか？ (tsumori desu ka?) - expression meaning "you intend" or "you intend to"
Tochuu de kaze wo hiite shimatta
I took a cold halfway.
I took a cold on the way.
- 途中で - "in the middle of the way"
- 風邪をひいてしまった - "I caught a cold"
Ketsueki wa karada no naka de juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu
Blood plays an important role in the body.
Blood plays an important role in the body.
- 血液 (ketsueki) - blood
- 身体 (shintai) - body
- 重要 (juuyou) - important
- 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
- 果たす (hatasu) - perform/fulfill
- しています (shiteimasu) - Is doing
Other words of the same type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
