中東
Chūtō[t͡ɕɨːto̞ː]
The English phrase "middle east" is translated into Japanese as 中東 (Chūtō).
中東 is used to refer to the Middle East, a region comprising Western Asia without the South Caucasus and additionally including all of Egypt and all of Turkey.
Meaning: region comprising Western Asia without the South Caucasus and additionally including all of Egypt and all of Turkey (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of the characters 中 (middle) and 東 (east).
How do you pronounce it?
Chūtō
Did you know?
- Because 中東 is a direct translation of the English phrase, it is often referred to as a 'loan-translation' or 'calque' in Japanese linguistic studies.
- While 中東 refers to the Middle East, Japanese often uses the term 中東欧 to refer to Central and Eastern Europe, using the same 'middle' and 'east' characters.
- The character 東 in 中東 is the same one used in the name of the capital, 東京 ('Tokyo'), which literally means 'Eastern Capital'.
Examples in context
- イエメンは中東に位置する一国である。Yemen is a country in the Middle East.This sentence is useful for identifying the location of a country in the Middle East using 中東.Tatoeba #3362213 by arnab, translation #3362001 by CK
- 中東で戦争が起こるかどうかはだれにも分からない。No one knows whether there will be a war in the Middle East.This sentence is useful for discussing the possibility of war in the Middle East using 中東.Tatoeba #126448 by tommy__san, translation #277542 by CK
- ラクダが中東では大変有用であることは言うまでもない。It goes without saying that camels are very useful in the Middle East.This sentence is useful for noting the utility of camels in the Middle East using 中東.Tatoeba #192648 by bunbuku, translation #29812 by CS
- 中東諸国の文化に興味があります。I am interested in the culture of the Middle Eastern countries.
- 旅行で中東に行く予定です。I'm planning to go to the Middle East for a trip.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their travel goals.
- 大翔 Hirotoいつか中東に行ってみたいんだ。itsuka chūtō ni itte mitain da.I want to visit the Middle East someday.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。どこの国が気になりますか？ii desu ne. doko no kuni ga ki ni narimasu ka?That sounds great. Which countries are you interested in?
- 大翔 Hirotoトルコやエジプトを回りたいと思っています。toruko ya ejiputo o mawaritai to omotte imasu.I'm thinking of traveling around Turkey and Egypt.
- 美咲 Misaki中東の文化はとても興味深いですよね。chūtō no bunka wa totemo kyōmibukai desu yo ne.Middle Eastern culture is very fascinating, isn't it?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “middle east” translations and entries 中東, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 中東, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
