当中

• Pinyin: dāng zhōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 当 (at/in) + 中 (middle/centre)

Meaning

Among; in the middle of; in the midst of. Indicates being within a group or at the centre of something.

Can refer to a physical position (in the middle) or an abstract sense (among a group). Often used to pick out something specific from a larger set, as in 这些人当中 (among these people).

Examples

1. 在所有同学当中，她的成绩最好。 Among all the classmates, she has the best grades.
2. 桌子放在房间的当中。 The table is placed in the middle of the room.
3. 这些菜当中，我最喜欢红烧肉。 Among these dishes, I like braised pork the most.

Usage Guide

Context: comparison, description, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我们当中谁去都可以。(Any one of us can go.)
• 他站在人群当中。(He stood in the middle of the crowd.)

Don't Say

• 我当中吃饭 (Don't use 当中 to mean 'while' or 'during' — use 正在...的时候 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 当 (at, in) and 中 (middle, centre), literally 'at-the-middle.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal