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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'middle' or 'in between' with 中间 (zhōngjiān)

    Location & Position

    Structure

    在 + Noun + 中间 / Noun + 中间

    Explanation

    The noun 中间 (zhōngjiān) means 'middle,' 'center,' or 'in between.' It is used to indicate the spatial or temporal midpoint of something, or the space between two objects or people. It often functions as a location word following 在 or modifying another noun with 的.

    Examples

    • 他坐在两个朋友中间，聊得很开心。

      tā zuò zài liǎng gè péngyou zhōngjiān, liáo de hěn kāixīn.

      He sat between his two friends, chatting happily.

    • 公园就在学校和医院的中间。

      gōngyuán jiù zài xuéxiào hé yīyuàn de zhōngjiān.

      The park is right between the school and the hospital.

    • 会议中间休息了十五分钟。

      huìyì zhōngjiān xiūxi le shíwǔ fēnzhōng.

      There was a fifteen-minute break in the middle of the meeting.

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    Expressing 'middle' or 'in between' with 中间 (zhōngjiān) | Chinese Grammar