Lesson article
Spot the signal, compare it, then read it in context
Read all 4 sections in order. Notice the target form, compare it with the nearby alternative, then use the reading and practice below to check the meaning in context.
Section 1 of 4
Core meaning
Use 〜 to emphasize that something happens during an active ongoing process.
Start with the example
、。
The phone rang in the middle of the meeting.
places the ringing while the meeting is actively underway. It does not locate the event at exactly half the meeting’s duration.
Notice the variation
、。
I got a message from a friend right in the middle of studying.
The message arrives during an ongoing action, not merely sometime that day.
More detail: how to apply this
〜 means “in the middle of …” and strongly emphasizes that an event occurs during an ongoing activity or state.
It often sounds more vivid and immediate than 〜.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Identify the ongoing activity and the intruding event, then look for separate evidence of interruption or continuation.
The power outage is the overlapping event. Whether the discussion stopped must be established elsewhere; the pattern alone does not guarantee it.
、。
There was a power outage in the middle of an important discussion.
Identify the ongoing activity and the intruding event, then look for separate evidence of interruption or continuation.
Showing Try this approach: Everyday words.
Target signal
、。
The phone rang in the middle of the meeting.
places the ringing while the meeting is actively underway. It does not locate the event at exactly half the meeting’s duration.
Vocabulary notes
- 会議
- meeting
- 最中に
- in the middle of
- 電話
- telephone; phone call
Compare in context
、。
I got a message from a friend right in the middle of studying.
The message arrives during an ongoing action, not merely sometime that day.
Vocabulary notes
- 最中に
- in the middle of
- 友だち
- friend
Section 2 of 4
Nuance of interruption
Nuance of interruption
Start with the example
、。
There was a power outage in the middle of an important discussion.
The power outage interrupts the discussion in midstream.
Notice the variation
、。
In the middle of the presentation, the handout could not be found.
The problem happens right in the middle of the presentation.
More detail: how to apply this
This grammar is especially common when the middle event interrupts, disturbs, or sharply overlaps with the ongoing action.
That is why it often appears in stories, reports, and descriptions of unexpected events.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
There was a power outage in the middle of an important discussion.
The power outage interrupts the discussion in midstream.
、。
There was a power outage in the middle of an important discussion.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: There was a power outage in the middle of an important discussion.
Showing Nuance of interruption: Everyday words.
Target signal
、。
There was a power outage in the middle of an important discussion.
The power outage interrupts the discussion in midstream.
Vocabulary notes
- 最中に
- in the middle of
Preview
、。
In the middle of the presentation, the handout could not be found.
The problem happens right in the middle of the presentation.
Vocabulary notes
- 発表
- announcement; presentation
- 最中に
- in the middle of
Section 3 of 4
Reading notes
Identify the ongoing activity and the intruding event, then look for separate evidence of interruption or continuation.
Reading notes
、。
Step 1 of 3 · Notice the clue
The important discussion is the activity already in progress.
Step 1: Notice the clue
More detail: the reading method
highlights that an activity is underway when another event occurs.
It often makes an interruption vivid, but it does not specify a mathematical midpoint or require the first activity to stop.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Guests arrived in the middle of cooking.
The guests arrive during active cooking. The sentence does not specify whether cooking is halfway finished.
、。
Guests arrived in the middle of cooking.
Return to the Japanese and locate the words supporting this meaning: Guests arrived in the middle of cooking.
Showing Reading notes: Everyday words.
More examples
Target signal
、。
Guests arrived in the middle of cooking.
The guests arrive during active cooking. The sentence does not specify whether cooking is halfway finished.
Vocabulary notes
- 料理
- cooking; dish; cuisine
- 最中に
- in the middle of
Preview
、。
An earthquake occurred in the middle of taking the exam.
The earthquake is framed as a dramatic interruption during the exam.
Vocabulary notes
- 最中に
- in the middle of
Section 4 of 4
Compare the meaning
Use the contrast to make a decision. Choose an answer before opening the explanation.
Example A
Example B
Your turn · decide before revealing
How do these two examples change the meaning?
More detail: what changes and why
Compare and .
emphasizes an action actively underway;
places another event after it.
Explain it another way
Try a different way of looking at the same idea.
Same words, two possible interpretations. Which has evidence?
emphasizes an action actively underway; places another event after it.
How do these two examples change the meaning?
Supported meaning: In the middle of the meal / after the meal
Use the sentence to choose between these interpretations; do not add information that is only in an answer choice.
Showing Compare the meaning: Everyday words.