Translation guide
Expresses that something happens or exists during movement toward a destination, or that something is located along a route. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether you mean 'while going', 'along the route', or 'in the middle of doing something'.
学校に行く途中で彼女に会った。
I met her on the way to school.
その店は駅の途中にあります。
The store is on the way to the station.
Describing an action or state that occurs during the journey to a place.
Attach to a verb in the dictionary form or a noun indicating the destination. Means 'on the way to ...' or 'while on the way to ...'. Very common and natural.
学校に行く途中で友達に会った。
I met a friend on the way to school.
駅の途中で雨が降り出した。
It started raining on the way to the station.
Literally 'on the way going to ...'. Used as a noun phrase. Often followed by で or に.
買い物に行く途中で電話がかかってきた。
I got a phone call on the way to do shopping.
More formal or written. 'On the way heading to ...'.
会議に向かう途中で資料を確認した。
I checked the documents on the way to the meeting.
Describing a location that is on the path to a destination, often used when offering to stop by or pick up something.
Means 'is on the way to ...'. Used for places that are conveniently located along the route.
コンビニは駅の途中にあります。
The convenience store is on the way to the station.
郵便局は会社の途中にあるので、ついでに寄れます。
The post office is on the way to work, so I can stop by.
Literally 'passing road'. Used to say something is on one's way. Often in the phrase 通り道にある.
Means 'while I'm at it' or 'on the way' when doing something as a side task. Often used with 寄る (stop by).
Expressing that something is currently in progress or that an interruption occurs during an activity.
Attach to a verb in the ている form. Means 'in the middle of doing ...'. Used for ongoing actions.
宿題をしている途中で寝てしまった。
I fell asleep in the middle of doing my homework.
料理をしている途中に電話が鳴った。
The phone rang while I was in the middle of cooking.
Means 'in the very middle of'. Slightly more emphatic than 途中. Used with nouns or verbs in dictionary form + の.
会議の最中に停電になった。
The power went out in the middle of the meeting.
Indicating that someone or something is currently traveling toward the speaker or a destination.
Literally 'is heading (toward)'. Used to say someone is on the way. Often with 今 (now).
今、そちらに向かっています。
I'm on my way there now.
彼はもう向かっているはずです。
He should be on the way already.
Means 'on the way here'. Used when the speaker is the destination.
今、来る途中です。
I'm on the way now.
The phrase 道の上 (みちのうえ) means 'on top of the road' and is not used for the concept of being en route. Use 途中 or 向かっている instead.
途中 (とちゅう) is the general word for 'on the way' or 'in the middle'. 最中 (さいちゅう) emphasizes being right in the middle of an activity, often when interrupted. 最中 cannot be used for physical movement toward a destination.
食事の最中に電話がかかってきた。
I got a call right in the middle of eating.
その店は私の通り道です。
That shop is on my way.
I stopped by the post office on the way and bought stamps.