其中

• Pinyin: qí zhōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 其 (qí) — that, those; 中 (zhōng) — middle, among

Meaning

Among them; of which; in the group. Used to specify something within a larger set.

A formal pronoun used to refer to a subset within a group that has been mentioned. Often appears in sentences that first describe a whole group and then single out some members. Common in both spoken and written Chinese, though slightly more formal.

Examples

1. 我们班有三十个人，其中十个是女生。 There are thirty people in our class, of which ten are girls.
2. 这些水果很好吃，其中我最喜欢苹果。 These fruits are delicious, and among them I like apples the most.
3. 他去过很多国家，其中包括日本。 He has been to many countries, including Japan.

Usage Guide

Context: explanation, description, listing

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我有三个爱好，其中最喜欢游泳。(I have three hobbies, and swimming is my favourite.)
• 这些菜其中两个是辣的。(Two of these dishes are spicy.)

Don't Say

• 其中前面必须先说整体 (Don't start a sentence with 其中 without first introducing the whole group — 其中 must refer back to something already mentioned)

Origin & History

其 (qí, that/those, classical pronoun) + 中 (zhōng, middle/among). Literally 'among those,' specifying a part within a whole.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal