At a glance
～最中に means "right in the middle of" an action or event. It is used when something happens while that action is in progress, usually something unexpected that interrupts it.
[Verb て-form] いる + 最中に
[Noun] + の + 最中に
授業の最中に電話が鳴りました。 A phone rang in the middle of class.
How to form it
| Attaches to | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | ている form + 最中に | 食べている最中に "in the middle of eating" |
| Noun | Noun + の + 最中に | 会議の最中に "in the middle of the meeting" |
| End of sentence | ～最中だ / ～最中です | 今、食事の最中です。 "I'm in the middle of a meal now." |
The expression itself is neutral. Politeness comes from the end of the sentence (鳴った / 鳴りました).