最中に
In the middle of
Structure
Noun + の + 最中に + Phrase
Verb［ている］(1) + 最中 + だ
(1) Noun+の
Explanation
While 中に can indicate that an action is in progress, 最中に adds a layer of intensity, emphasizing that something is happening at its very peak. The kanji 最 means 'most' or 'extreme', giving it a literal sense of 'the very middle'. This nuance is often translated into English with phrases such as 'right in the middle of (A)' or 'at the height of (A)'.
Typically, when 最中に is used to describe an event (A), the sentence will include a second event (B) that unexpectedly occurs during (A), often interrupting or affecting it in some way.
To form this grammar point, add 最中に after the ている form of a verb, or after a noun followed by the particle の.
- 夕食を作っている最中に、停電した。The power went out right in the middle of me making dinner.
- 会議の最中に、部長が寝てしまった。The department manager fell asleep right in the middle of the meeting.
- 彼は今、大事な話をしている最中だ。He's in the middle of an important discussion right now.
Caution
最中 is not commonly used with adjectives, but it is possible. In such cases, it expresses being at the 'peak' of the state or emotion that the adjective describes.
- 楽しい最中に、嫌なことを思い出してしまった。Just when I was having the most fun, I suddenly remembered something unpleasant.
- 静かな最中に、誰かが大声で叫んだ。At the very quietest moment, someone shouted at the top of their lungs.
Examples
会議の最中に、突然停電した。
The power suddenly went out in the middle of the meeting.
シャワーを浴びている最中に、地震があった。
There was an earthquake while I was in the middle of taking a shower.
ただ今、開店の準備をしている最中です。
We are currently in the middle of preparing to open.
授業の最中に、お腹が鳴って恥ずかしかった。
My stomach growled in the middle of class, which was embarrassing.
運転している最中に携帯電話を使うのは危険です。
It is dangerous to use your cellphone while driving.
料理の最中に、つまみ食いをするのが私の癖です。
I have a habit of snacking while in the middle of cooking.
引越しの最中に、大切な花瓶を割ってしまった。
I ended up breaking a precious vase in the middle of moving.
重要なメールを書いている最中に、猫がキーボードの上を歩いた。
A cat walked across the keyboard while I was writing an important email.
スピーチの最中に、何を言うか忘れてしまった。
I completely forgot what I was going to say in the middle of my speech.
部屋を掃除している最中に、昔の写真を見つけて手が止まった。
I stopped what I was doing when I found an old photo while cleaning my room.
試験勉強の最中に、友達から遊びに誘われた。
A friend invited me to hang out right in the middle of me studying for an exam.
現在、新しいデータを分析している最中です。
We are currently in the middle of analyzing the new data.