Meaning

Primary

Rather

Alternatives

Fairly, Quite

Word Type

adverb

Explanation

The symbol just repeats the kanji that comes before it. In other words, 中々 is the same as 中中. Easy! So with 中々, you have middle x2. When something is more middle than middle itself, it's rather, fairly, or quite something. Why? I guess because those are all good middle-level intensifiers.

中々 can be used in positive or negative ways. In a positive way, it usually means something is better than expected, like 中々おいしい (quite delicious). But it's really versatile and could also mean "a little," "very," or "completely" depending on the situation. It might even sound condescending, so be careful how you use it! In a negative sense, you can use it when something is more difficult than expected, like in 中々できない (can't be done easily).

Reading

なかなか
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

The reading for this word is the kun'yomi reading, since it's like putting two single kanji together rather than a true jukugo word. To learn the kun'yomi reading, take a look at this mnemonic:

From the middle of the middle comes a sound. It is a knocking sound. Knock. Knock. Knock. You open up the walls around this thing. Then you open up the second set of walls (middle of the middle). Inside is an old man, who identifies himself as "the knocker." You go inside of him and find another knocker as well. That's why it's a knocker knocker (なかなか).

Context

Pattern of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 中々ない

    quite rare

    中々できない

    to be hard to do

    中々むずかしい

    very difficult

Context Sentences

このカレー、中々おいしいですね。

This curry is delicious.

一月のテストは中々むずかしかった。

The test in January was quite difficult.

このカードは中々レアなので一千ドルぐらいしますよ。

This card is rare and it costs about 1,000 dollars.

Kanji Composition