This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

中元

Reading

Kana: ちゅうげん
Romaji: chūgen
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

1

15th day of the 7th lunar month; (last day of) Bon lantern festival

See also: 于蘭盆
2

Bon Festival gifts

See also: お中元

Kanji

Readings: チュウ、 なか、 うち、 あた.る
Meanings: in, inside, middle, mean, center
Readings: ゲン、 ガン、 もと
Meanings: beginning, former time, origin

Example Sentence

()中元(ちゅうげん)御歳暮(おせいぼ)習慣(しゅうかん)はなかなかすたれない。
➥The gift-giving custom dies hard.
Full Entry➤