〜最中に
JLPT N3:right in the middle of
"Right in the middle of X": something happens, usually an interruption, while an action is in full swing.
How to form it
- Verbs take ている + 最中に: 話している最中に.
- Nouns take の: 食事の最中に (in the middle of a meal).
- The second half is usually something unexpected that interrupts.
Examples
食事の最中に電話が鳴った。
The phone rang right in the middle of dinner.
会議をしている最中に、地震が起きた。
An earthquake struck right in the middle of the meeting.
Notes
- 最中だ at the end of a sentence means "is right in the middle of": 今、会議の最中です.
Similar meaning
- 〜中during / in the middle of
中 after an activity: "in progress", with no stress on interruption.
- 〜間 / 〜間にwhile / during
"While" or "during" a period.