JLPT N3

最中に

In the middle of ~

Structure

Verb ている最中に / Noun の最中に

How it works

This grammar point is used to indicate that an unexpected or interrupting event occurs while an action is currently in progress. It emphasizes that the first action was at its peak or 'right in the middle' of happening. Unlike similar expressions, it often implies that the interrupting event was a surprise or a nuisance.

Examples

料理をしている最中に、チャイムが鳴った。

In the middle of cooking, the doorbell rang.

会議の最中に、大声を出してしまった。

I accidentally shouted in the middle of the meeting.

スピーチの最中に、停電が起きた。

A power outage occurred right in the middle of the speech.

Common mistakes

Do not use '最中に' for actions that take a very long time (like 'living in Japan' or 'my youth'). It must be a specific, ongoing activity.

Tip

Think of '最中' as the peak point of an activity. If you want to say 'while' for a general period, use 'うちに' or '間に' instead.

More JLPT N3 grammar

としてに対してについてによってに関してにとってわけだわけがない

See 最中に in real Japanese

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