최근에
choegeune
최근에 (choegeune) is the Korean phrase for lately.
최근에 is used to describe a period of time just before the present.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 최근, meaning recent or latest and 에, which is a time particle. It literally means 'at/in the recent [time]'.
Which one should you use?
While both 최근에 and 요즘 can mean lately, 최근에 focuses more on the specific recent period leading up to now. In contrast, 요즘 often carries a nuance of a continuous trend or habit occurring these days.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many contexts, the word 요즘 can be used interchangeably with 최근에 to mean 'lately' or 'these days'.
How do you pronounce it?
choegeune
Did you know?
- The root of 최근 (choe-geun) uses the Hanja '근' (近), which also means 'near' in terms of physical distance, much like the English word 'near'.
- When talking about a habit that has started 'lately', Koreans often prefer using the word 요새 over 최근에 to sound more natural in spoken conversation.
- The word 최근 (recent) can be used as a noun on its own in formal news reports to mean 'the recent past', without needing the time particle 에.
Examples in context
- 최근에 스트레스를 느낍니다.I have been feeling stressed lately.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have been feeling stressed using 최근에.Tatoeba #13248365 by qiwiwi, translation #9167552 by megamanenm
- 나는 격려의 말을 할 수 있었다. 나는 최근에 기분이 정말 안 좋았다.I could use some words of encouragement. I’ve been feeling really down lately.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have been feeling really down using 최근에.Tatoeba #10627275 by ssuss32, translation #10627274 by DJ_Saidez
- 최근에 날씨가 많이 추워졌어요.Lately, the weather has become very cold.
- 요즘에 시간이 너무 빨리 가요.Lately, time passes by so quickly.
- 결혼식에 최근에 다녀왔어.I recently attended a wedding.
- 요즘 별로 바쁘지 않아.I haven't been busy lately.
- 최근에 한국 요리를 배우고 있어요.choegeune hanguk yorireul baeugo isseoyo.I have been learning Korean cooking lately.
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are meeting for coffee.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 최근에 바빴어요?Hyen-u ssi, choegeune bappasseoyo?Hyunwoo, have you been busy lately?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 일이 좀 많았어요.ne, iri jom manasseoyo.Yes, I've had a lot of work.
- 민지 Min-ji피곤해 보이네요.pigonhae boineyo.You look tired.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요. 잠을 잘 못 잤어요.majayo. jameul jal mot jasseoyo.That's true. I couldn't sleep well.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
