InitialJ
N3timinginterruption

～最中に (saichuu ni) - In the middle of

[Noun/Verb ている] + 最中に

Quick answer

[Noun/Verb ている] + 最中に means "In the middle of / While doing". As a N3 grammar point, it is tested in the JLPT. Detailed examples and a usage explanation are on this page.

Meaning

In the middle of / While doing

Explanation

Emphasizes that something is happening right in the middle of an action.

Examples

会議の最中に、電話が鳴った。
かいぎのさいちゅうに、でんわがなった。
The phone rang in the middle of the meeting.
会—to meet議—Debate最—Utmost中—Among話—Talk
食事をしている最中に、地震が起きた。
しょくじをしているさいちゅうに、じしんがおきた。
An earthquake occurred while we were eating.
事—Thing最—Utmost中—Among地—Earth起—to wake up

Practice this grammar

[Noun/Verb ている] + 最中に

Which sentence correctly uses "～最中に (saichuu ni) - In the middle of"?

Vocabulary from these examples

会to meetN4事ThingN4地EarthN4最UtmostN3議DebateN3起to wake upN4地Land中Among話Talk中Middle事Thing (abstract)

Last updated Jul 4, 2026