1.  China
when read as "ちゅうごく"
2.  Chūgoku region (western part of Honshu comprising the prefectures of Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tottori and Shimane)
when read as "ちゅうごく"
3.  central part of a country;  main region
when read as "ちゅうごく"
4.  province of the second lowest rank (ritsuryo system)