I'm unsure whether the 中 in this phrase is to be in the first or fourth tone:
吃得苦中苦，方为人上人.
Also, what exactly does 方 mean in this saying?
Thank you, Rachel
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2中zhong１（from meaning derived from context) see jukuu： 1. "If you wish to be the best man, you must be prepared to suffer the Bitterest of the Bitter" 吃得苦中苦,方为人上人 -- 来源 -- 英汉 - 翻译样例 - 习语 好评(10) 差评(0) 2. Hardship increases stature 吃得苦中苦方为人上人, for possible meanings of 方 see dictionaries and above translations– user6065Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 21:38
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1方：始：(to begin; to start; then; only then)，details at chengyu.xpcha.com/b57n61ckxal.html– user6065Commented Apr 21, 2016 at 5:04
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2 Answers
it's zhōng, according to 國語辭典:
http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&searchid=Z00000120693
in cantonese, it jung1 (sydney lay scheme)
http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/search.php?word=中
sound file: http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/sound/zung1.Mp3
方者﹒才也﹒始也; roughly "only then"
have fun :)
First tone, when you use it to mean 'middle', 'middle of', 'centre'.
When it is pronounced in the fourth tone, it typically means "got it". For example, when you check your lottery ticket and you've won.
I double checked with this Source and it looks like I got it. Here are more specifics:
拼音: zhong (first tone)
注音: ㄓㄨㄥ
center; middle
in; inside; among
in between
average, mean, or middle (class, grade, etc.)
in the course of
fit for拼音: zhong (4th tone)
注音: ㄓㄨㄥˋ
to hit (a target)
to suffer; to sustain
以上來源於：《漢英大辭典》
