中を
In, On, Into, Inside of
Structure
Explanation
This grammar pattern combines the noun 中 (inside) with the case marking particle を. Because を marks a space through which movement or an action occurs, this structure expresses that an action is happening 'within (A)', 'through (A)', or 'inside (A)'.
In this structure, (A) is a noun that represents the location or area, and (B) is the verb describing the action that takes place within that area.
- かばんの中を探したけど、鍵が見つからなかった。I searched inside my bag, but I couldn't find my keys.
- 昨日、友達と公園の中を散歩しました。Yesterday, I took a walk through the park with a friend.
Caution
Note that the subject performing the action marked by 中を is not always physically located inside the space (A). This pattern can also describe an action directed 'into (A)' from the outside, like with the verb 見る, 'to look'.
- 彼からのプレゼントが気になって、箱の中をこっそり見てしまった。I was so curious about the present from him that I secretly peeked inside the box.
Examples
森の中を散歩するのが好きです。
I like taking walks through the forest.
冷蔵庫の中をきれいに拭いてください。
Please wipe the inside of the refrigerator clean.
子供たちが公園の中を元気に走り回っている。
The children are energetically running around inside the park.
彼はかばんの中を探していたが、鍵は見つからなかった。
He was searching inside his bag, but he couldn't find his keys.
魚が水槽の中を気持ちよさそうに泳いでいる。
The fish are swimming comfortably inside the tank.
暗い洞窟の中を懐中電灯を使って進んだ。
We proceeded through the dark cave using a flashlight.
引き出しの中を整理したら、昔の写真が出てきた。
When I organized the inside of the drawer, an old photograph turned up.
バスが町の中をゆっくりと走っていく。
The bus slowly drives through the town.
建物の中を見学することができますか。
Is it possible to tour the inside of the building?
頭の中をあの歌がずっとぐるぐる回っている。
That song is constantly going around and around inside my head.
電子レンジの中をいつもきれいに保っている。
I always keep the inside of the microwave clean.
大雨の中を駅まで走った。
I ran to the station through the heavy rain.