中

• Pinyin: zhōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 中 = 口 (enclosure) + 丨 (vertical stroke through the centre) — pictograph of a flag at the centre

Meaning

Middle; centre; in; among. A fundamental character indicating a central position.

An extremely versatile character. As a standalone word it means 'middle' or 'centre'. It frequently appears in compounds: 中国 (China), 中文 (Chinese language), 中午 (noon), 中间 (between). Also used as a suffix meaning 'in the process of': 学习中 (in the process of studying).

Examples

1. 请把书放在中间。 Please put the book in the middle.
2. 学校在我家和公园的中间。 The school is between my home and the park.
3. 他在考试中。 He is in the middle of an exam.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, location

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你站在中间。(You stand in the middle.)
• 我们在讨论中。(We are in the middle of a discussion.)

Don't Say

• 在中的那个。(Don't use 中 alone as an adjective before 的 — say 在中间的那个)

Origin & History

A pictograph of a flagpole through the centre of a frame, representing the concept of centrality. Ancient origin tied to the idea of a banner at the centre of a community.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal