Chinese word

中

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhōng

Meaning

  • nounmiddle

Example

他站在队伍中。tā zhàn zài duì wǔ zhōng

He is standing in the middle of the line.

Illustration for 中 (middle)

More examples

杯子放在桌子中间。bēi zi fàng zài zhuō zi zhōng jiān

The cup is in the middle of the table.

Core concept

The central part of a larger space or range, including anything located inside it.

Common phrases

  • 中间zhōng jiān

    middle

  • 桌子中间zhuō zi zhōng jiān

    middle of the table

  • 教室中间jiào shì zhōng jiān

    middle of the classroom

Similar words

中间zhōng jiān: The exact central position in an arrangement of people or things.
里面lǐ miàn: The inside part or inner position of a thing or place.

Definition in Chinese

表示在某一空间、时间或范围的中间位置，也可指处于某范围之内。biǎo shì zài mǒu yì kōng jiān shí jiān huò fàn wéi de zhōng jiān wèi zhì yě kě zhǐ chǔ yú mǒu fàn wéi zhī nèi

Word origin

The old form of 中 (zhōng, "middle") depicts an arrow reaching the center of a target, and this image developed from hitting the center to marking a central or enclosed position.

Usage tips

  • English often needs a separate phrase for being inside a group or setting, while 中 (zhōng, "middle") can express that relationship compactly after the group or setting.

Other meanings

  • centernoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word