Japanese word

中元

Pronunciation

Romajichūgen

Meaning

  • nounlast day of Bon

Example

中元は盆の最後の日です。chū gen wa bon no sai go no hi de su

Chugen is the last day of Bon.

Illustration for 中元 (last day of Bon)

More examples

旧暦では、中元は七月十五日に当たります。kyū reki de wa chū gen wa nana gatsu jū go nichi ni a ta ri ma su

According to the lunar calendar, Chugen falls on the fifteenth day of the seventh month.

Core concept

It centers on a midyear observance that connects the closing of Bon with gifts exchanged to show appreciation.

Common phrases

  • 中元の贈り物chū gen no oku ri mono

    midyear gift

  • 中元を贈るchū gen o oku ru

    give a midyear gift

  • 中元の時期chū gen no ji ki

    the midyear gift-giving season

Definition in Japanese

盆の最後の日。また、その時期に世話になった人へ贈る品物。bon no sai go no hi ma ta so no ji ki ni se wa ni na tta hito e oku ru shina mono

Word origin

As a Sino-Japanese term, 中元 (chūgen) combines 中 (chū, "middle") and 元 (gen, "beginning"); it comes from Chinese 中元, a name for the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month.

Usage tips

  • The form お中元 (ochūgen) is common in gift contexts, while 中元 (chūgen) also refers to the midyear Bon observance itself.

Other meanings

  • midyear giftnoun

Word lists with this word