最近
saikin[sa̠ikʲĩɴ]
The English phrase 'lately' is expressed in Japanese as 最近 (saikin).
最近 is used to describe the period of time leading up to the present. While it can mean 'recently' to refer to a specific point in the near past, it is most commonly used to describe a state or trend that has been ongoing. In casual conversation, you may also see the following variations: 最近ずっと is an informal way to say 'lately' while emphasizing that something is continuous or ongoing and 最近よく is an informal way to express 'lately' when implying that an action has been happening frequently.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use 最近 as the topic of a sentence, you can add the particle は to create 最近は. This is often used when the speaker wants to contrast the recent period with other times. Additionally, the phrase 最近、どう？ is a common way to casually ask someone how they have been lately.
How do you pronounce it?
saikin
Did you know?
- Japanese has a distinct difference between 最近 for 'lately' and さっき for 'a moment ago', which can confuse learners because both refer to the immediate past.
- The word 最近 is composed of the characters for 'most' and 'close', literally meaning 'the closest' in terms of time.
- The character 近 in 最近 is also used in the word for 'neighborhood' 近所, linking the concept of 'lately' to the concept of physical proximity.
Examples in context
- 最近、寝不足だ。I haven't been getting enough sleep lately.This sentence shows how to use 最近 to talk about a state of sleep deprivation.Tatoeba #170738 by tommy__san, translation #243743 by CK
- 最近、映画見た？Have you seen any movies lately?This sentence uses 最近 to ask a question about recent activities.Tatoeba #10089952 by small_snow, translation #243837 by CK
- 最近、忙しくて。I have been busy lately.This sentence uses 最近 to describe a state of being busy.Tatoeba #11639999 by small_snow, translation #257657 by CC
- 最近、忙しかったです。Lately, I have been busy.
- 私は近頃、健康に気をつけています。Lately, I have been taking care of my health.
- 最近ずっと友達と映画を見ています。Lately, I have been watching movies with friends all the time.
- 最近よく寿司を食べます。Lately, I often eat sushi.
- 103 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are catching up at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren結衣さん、最近どうですか？Yui-san, saikin dou desu ka?Yui, how have you been lately?
- 結衣 Yui最近、仕事がとても忙しいです。Saikin, shigoto ga totemo isogashii desu.Lately, work has been very busy.
- 蓮 Renそれは大変ですね。Sore wa taihen desu ne.That sounds tough.
- 結衣 Yuiでも、元気ですよ！Demo, genki desu yo!But, I'm doing well!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 最近, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 最近, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
