中

• Reading: なか
• Romaji: naka
• Kanji breakdown: 中 (naka/chuu/juu) — inside, middle, within
• Pronunciation: /na.ka/

Meaning

Inside; interior; within. The inner space of something.

A fundamental spatial noun indicating the inside or interior of a space. Used with the particle に (中に = inside). Also commonly used in compound words like 一日中 (ichinichijuu, all day long) and 世界中 (sekaijuu, around the world). Has multiple readings: なか, ちゅう, じゅう.

Examples

1. かばんの中に財布があります。 There is a wallet inside the bag.
2. 部屋の中は暖かいです。 It is warm inside the room.
3. 箱の中に何がありますか。 What is inside the box?

Usage Guide

Context: position, daily life, descriptions

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 中 is a pictographic character showing a line through the centre of a rectangle, representing the concept of 'middle' or 'inside.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal