JLPT N3・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “途中” and “最中”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “途中” and “最中“
2. 途中
3. 最中
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “途中” and “最中“?
A: Both terms indicate that something is in progress, but “途中” refers to a part of a broader process, while “最中” emphasizes the moment when an action is at its peak.
途中 (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
① A point along the way during movement toward a destination
② A stage in the progression of an ongoing event
[Rules]
[V] Verb dictionary form + 途中
[N] Noun of a する verb + の + 途中
[Usage of Particles]
“で” → Indicates the location where an event occurs (e.g., “途中で雨が降った”)
“に” → Used in the context of movement toward a destination (e.g., “行く途中にコンビニがある”)
[Examples]
家に帰る途中で近所の人に会いました（①）
I met a neighbor on the way home.
会社へ行く途中にコンビニがたくさんあります。（①）
There are many convenience stores on the way to work.
社長は会議の途中で席を離れました。（②）
The president left his seat during the meeting.
“途中” has two meanings, both focusing on a stage or process in progress.
[Example ①]（During movement）
駅に向かう途中で コンビニに寄りました。
I stopped by a convenience store on the way to the station.
⇒ This means that I stopped at a point (the convenience store) while heading toward the destination (the station).
[Example ②]（During an event）
会議の途中で 寝てしまいました。
I fell asleep during the meeting.
⇒ This refers to something that happened at some point between the start and end of the meeting.
最中 (JLPT N3)
[Meaning]
Refers to the exact moment when an action or event is actively in progress
[Rules]
[V] Verb dictionary form / ている form + 最中
[N] Noun of a する verb + の + 最中
[Usage of Particles]
“に” → Used to indicate a specific moment when an action is in progress (e.g., “会議の最中に電話が鳴った”)
[Examples]
食事の最中にテレビを見ないでください。
Please don’t watch TV while eating.
先生が話している最中にケータイを見るのは失礼ですよ。
It’s rude to look at your phone while the teacher is speaking.
試合の最中に雨が降って、結局中止になりました。
It started raining in the middle of the match, and it ended up being canceled.
“途中” refers to a process or stage of progress, while “最中” focuses on the exact moment when a specific action or event is actively taking place.
[Example]
食事の最中に テレビを見ていたら、母に怒られました。
I was watching TV in the middle of a meal, and my mother scolded me.
⇒ Since I was watching TV right in the middle of eating, my mother scolded me.
会議をしている最中に ケータイが鳴ってしまいました。
My phone rang in the middle of the meeting.
⇒ This means the phone rang while the meeting was actively in progress.
Let’s Compare
The meaning of “途中” includes cases where movement toward a destination is involved, but “最中” cannot be used in this context.
[Examples]
◯ 家に帰る途中、雨が降ってきました。
On the way home, it started raining.
× 家に帰る最中、雨が降ってきました。
In the middle of going home, it started raining.
Since “途中” refers to the process of movement, it can be used here. However, “最中” emphasizes a specific moment, making it inappropriate in this sentence.
Now, which expression is more appropriate in the following case?
[Examples]
会議の途中で 電話が鳴ったので驚きました。
During the meeting, the phone rang, so I was surprised.
会議の最中に 電話が鳴ったので驚きました。
In the middle of the meeting, the phone rang, so I was surprised.
“途中” covers the entire timeframe of the meeting and indicates that the phone rang at some point during it.
On the other hand, “最中” emphasizes that the phone rang at a specific moment while the meeting was actively in progress, making it the more suitable choice in this case.
Summary
[途中]
- ① Refers to a point on the way from the starting point to the destination or a midpoint in the process of an event from beginning to end, both focusing on a stage or progression in progress.
[最中]
- Refers to a specific moment when an event is occurring, especially when emphasizing that something happened at that exact moment.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 途中
友達の家へ行く途中で、ケータイを家に忘れたことに気がつきました。
On the way to my friend’s house, I realized that I had forgotten my phone at home.
*Since this happened before reaching the destination (my friend’s house), “途中” is the correct choice.
A. 最中
映画を見ている最中、居眠りをしてしまいました。
In the middle of watching a movie, I fell asleep.
*Since this describes an action happening during an ongoing event, “最中” is more appropriate.
A. 最中
運転の最中に眠くならないようにコーヒーを飲みました。
While driving, I drank coffee to avoid getting sleepy.
*Since this refers to an action taking place during the act of driving, “最中” is the correct choice.
A. 途中
旅の途中、きれいな景色をたくさん見ました。
During my trip, I saw many beautiful landscapes.
*Since this refers to the entire duration of the trip from start to finish, “途中” is the correct choice.
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