How common it is
中午 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say zhōngwǔ slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
中午是用来指一天中最中间的时间，通常是午餐时间。
zhōngwǔ shì yòng lái zhǐ yī tiān zuì zhōng jiān de shíjiān, tèbié shì wǔcān shíjiān。
中午 is used to refer to the middle time of a day, usually mealtime.
Context note
中午常用于描述午餐时间，比如在餐厅点餐或在家准备午餐。
zhōngwǔ cháng yòng lái miáo shù wǔcān shíjiān, bǐrú zài cāntīng diǎncān huò zài jiā kěn zhǔnwǔ。
中午 is often used to describe lunchtime, for example, when ordering food at a restaurant or preparing lunch at home.
5 examples
我们中午吃面条。
wǒ men zhōng wǔ chī miàn tiáo。
We have noodles for lunch.
妈妈在中午休息。
mā ma zài zhōng wǔ xiū xi。
Mom takes a break at noon.
学校中午有午休时间。
xué xiào zhōng wǔ yǒu wǔ xiū shí jiān。
The school has a nap time in the middle of the day.
我们通常在中午吃饺子。
wǒ men tōng cháng zài zhōng wǔ chī jiǎo zǐ。
We usually have dumplings for lunch.
中午天气很热。
zhōng wǔ tiān qì hěn rè。
It's very hot at noon.
5 mini stories
妈妈说，中午我们吃饺子。爸爸说，中午我们在公园散步。
mā mā shuō， zhōng wǔ wǒ men chī jiǎo zǐ。 bà ba shuō， zhōng wǔ wǒ men zài gōng yuán sàn bù。
Mom said we have dumplings for lunch. Dad said we take a walk in the park at noon.
小明说，中午他和朋友去吃饭。小红说，她中午在家做家务。
xiǎo míng shuō， zhōng wǔ tā hé péng yǒu qù chī fàn。 xiǎo hóng shuō， tā zhōng wǔ zài jiā zuò jiā wù。
Xiaoming said he and his friends go out for lunch. Xiaohong said she does housework at noon.
老师说，中午孩子们可以休息。家长说，他们可以在公园吃午餐。
lǎo shī shuō， zhōng wǔ hái zi men kě yǐ xiū xi。 jiā zhǎng shuō， tā men kě yǐ zài gōng yuán chī wǔ cān。
The teacher said the children can have a rest at noon. The parents said they can have lunch in the park.
妈妈说，中午我们吃面条。爸爸说，中午我们在家看电视。
mā mā shuō， zhōng wǔ wǒ men chī miàn tiáo。 bà ba shuō， zhōng wǔ wǒ men zài jiā kàn diàn shì。
Mom said we have noodles for lunch. Dad said we watch TV at home at noon.
小明说，中午他和同学去图书馆。小红说，她中午在公园读书。
xiǎo míng shuō， zhōng wǔ tā hé tóng xué qù tú shū guǎn。 xiǎo hóng shuō， tā zhōng wǔ zài gōng yuán dú shū。
Xiaoming said he and his classmates go to the library for lunch. Xiaohong said she reads books in the park at noon.