～最中に (～saichuu ni)
Explanation
In the middle of / while doing something.
Formation
Verb-て form + いる + 最中に, Noun + の + 最中に
Detailed Explanation
The ～最中に grammar point is used to indicate that something happens during the middle of an action or situation. It can be translated as 'in the middle of' or 'while' in English. It often involves appending 最中に to a verb in 〜ている form or a noun plus の.
Examples
昼寝をしている最中に電話が鳴った。
Hirune o shiteiru saichuu ni denwa ga natta.
The phone rang while I was taking a nap.
料理を作っている最中に火事が起こった。
Ryouri o tsukutteiru saichuu ni kaji ga okotta.
A fire broke out in the middle of cooking.
会議の最中に急な用事で出なければならなかった。
Kaigi no saichuu ni kyuu na youji de denakereba naranakatta.
I had to leave during the meeting because of an urgent matter.
試験の最中に地震が起こった。
Shiken no saichuu ni jishin ga okotta.
An earthquake occurred during the exam.
Grammar content sourced from hanabira.org.