Japanese word

中央

Pronunciation

Romajichūō

Meaning

  • nouncenter

Example

町の中央に駅があります。machi no chū ō ni eki ga a ri ma su

There is a station in the center of the town.

Illustration for 中央 (center)

More examples

写真の中央に小さな花があります。sha shin no chū ō ni chii sa na hana ga a ri ma su

There is a small flower in the center of the picture.

Core concept

Describes the point or area equally distant from the edges, as well as the inner part of a larger place or group.

Common phrases

  • 中央付近chū ō fu kin

    near the center

  • 中央に置くchū ō ni o ku

    place in the center

Similar words

真ん中mannaka: A conversational word for the middle point or area of a place or thing.
中心chūshin: The central point or main part of a place, group, or activity.

Definition in Japanese

場所や範囲などの、外側から等しい距離にある部分。また、全体の中ほどや内側の重要な部分。ba sho ya han i na do no soto gawa ka ra hito shi i kyo ri ni a ru bu bun ma ta zen tai no naka ho do ya uchi gawa no jū yō na bu bun

Word origin

中央 (chūō) combines 中 (chū, "middle") and 央 (ō, "center"), forming a Sino-Japanese word for the central part or position.

Usage tips

  • 中央 (chūō) is common in formal signs and announcements, while 真ん中 (mannaka) is more conversational for the same central location.

Other meanings

  • middlenoun
  • heartnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word