中 Inside

Meaning

Primary

Inside

Alternative

In

Word Type

noun

Explanation

When the middle kanji is used as a word, it means inside. When you're in the middle of something, it means you're in that thing!

Reading

なか

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it uses the kun'yomi reading. When learning the kanji, you didn't learn that reading, so here's a mnemonic to help you with this word:

There's a sound coming from inside the wall. It sounds like a knock, knock, knock noise. You break down the wall, and there's some creepy dude standing inside. He is the knocker (なか).

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 中から〜

  中から出てくる

  to come out from inside

  中からきこえる

  to hear a sound coming from inside

  中からあける

  to open something from inside

• 中に〜

  中に入る

  to go inside

  中にある

  to be inside

  中にいる

  to be inside

Context Sentences

はやく中に入ろう。

Let's go inside quickly.

このグループの中に、レイチェルはいますか？

Is Rachel in this group?

川の中からビキニの女が出てきた。

A woman in a bikini came out of the river.

Kanji Composition

1. 中

   ちゅう Middle