Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N3 · Intermediate 2
〜を中心に~o chuushin ni
centered around
Put 「〜を中心に」 after a noun to make it the center or focus of a place, development, or activity.
How it works
What do fishing and the market develop around? The port in the picture is the hub they share.
The port is the hub of this development. Here, “center” does not have to mean the exact middle of a map.
Add 「を中心に（して）」 after a noun to make what that noun refers to the center or focus.
「を中心として」 also means taking something as the center or focus. Its meaning is close to the other two forms.
Old streets remain around the castle ruins. You can also use this pattern to explain where sights are clustered.
“Center” can also mean the focus of an activity. When talking about a main topic, it need not refer to a place.
Making something the focus does not mean it is the only thing included. Other things can be included too.
Example sentences
- 港minatoをo中心chuushinとtoしshiて、te、漁業gyogyouやya市場shijouがga発展hatten
In a conversation
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
This town has developed with local industry at its center.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
港____、漁業や市場が発展してきました。
Centered around the port, fishing and markets have developed.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜を中心にcentered around