Japanese word

真ん中

Pronunciation

Romajimannaka

Meaning

  • nounmiddle

Example

箱の真ん中にりんごがあります。bako no ma n naka ni ri n go ga a ri ma su

There is an apple in the middle of the box.

Illustration for 真ん中 (middle)

More examples

教室の真ん中に机があります。kyō shitsu no ma n naka ni tsukue ga a ri ma su

There is a desk in the middle of the classroom.

紙を真ん中で折ります。kami o ma n naka de o ri ma su

I fold the paper in the middle.

Core concept

Identifies the central point or area between the surrounding parts of something.

Common phrases

  • 真ん中にma n naka ni

    in the middle

  • 真ん中の席ma n naka no seki

    middle seat

  • 真ん中からma n naka ka ra

    from the middle

Similar words

中ほどnakahodo: The area around the middle of an object, place, or sequence.
中央chūō: A formal term for the central point or area of an object, place, or group.
中間chūkan: A position or stage halfway between two points, places, or states.
中段chūdan: The middle section in a vertical arrangement or series.

Definition in Japanese

物や場所の中心に当たる部分。mono ya ba sho no chū shin ni a ta ru bu bun

Word origin

真ん中 (mannaka, "middle") is formed from 真 (ma, "true or exact") and 中 (naka, "middle"), with 真 emphasizing the exact center.

Usage tips

  • The phrase 真ん中の席 (mannaka no seki, "middle seat") shows that the word naturally describes a position in a row, not only the center of an object.

Opposites

Word lists with this word