15

I see this all the time, but I don't know that I've heard it spoken.

For example: インストール中

Is it simply "なか"?

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
11

The reading when used as a suffix in this case is ちゅう (the on-yomi of the character 中)

So インストール中 is pronounced インストールちゅう. The meaning is "installing", or "in the process of installation".

More generally, 〜中 used in this way can be thought to mean "in the process of ~"

Edit: There is another possible usage of 〜中 which Hyperworm describes in their answer.

Improve this answer
3
28

It depends on the meaning.

中 used to mean "during / in the process of" must be pronounced ちゅう (as in ジョン's post)

インストール中【ちゅう】 now installing
読込【よみこみ】中【ちゅう】 now loading
建築【けんちく】中【ちゅう】 under construction

But in other uses, such as "all throughout" or "out of (all the)", it is commonly read じゅう (although it seems that ちゅう is also an option?):

世界【せかい】中【じゅう】の人々 people all around the world
クラス中【じゅう】で一番【いちばん】背【せ】が高【たか】い tallest in the class

Improve this answer
4
  • +1 for the great examples, and because I totally overlooked that :)
    – ジョン
    Apr 28, 2012 at 21:38
  • Is there a way to differentiate/tell between the "in the process of" and "all throughout/out of all the" definitions?
    – dotnetN00b
    Apr 29, 2012 at 1:30
  • 10
    @dotnetN00b: The words themselves are your guide for which definition of 中 to use. 世界 is not something that is done, so you can't be in the middle of doing something with it. 建築 is something that can be done, so it's something that one can be in the process of.
    – Questioner
    Apr 29, 2012 at 15:23
  • Extremely useful explanation and examples, thanks.
    – Jamie Taylor
    Apr 30, 2012 at 7:26

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .