最近
さいきん
saikin
Refers to a period of time extending from the near past up to the present. It is used both to describe a specific event that happened not long ago (recently) and to describe a continuing state or trend (these days/lately).
In terms of register, it is the most versatile and commonly used term for this concept, suitable for both casual conversation and formal writing. While "近頃 (chikagoro)" is a close synonym, "最近" is more frequent in daily speech, whereas "近頃" can sometimes feel slightly more descriptive or focused on a gradual change in habit or trend.
Grammatically, it can function as an adverbial noun (e.g., 最近、忙しい / Recently, I've been busy) or as a noun modifying another noun using the particle "の" (e.g., 最近の傾向 / Recent trends).
Meanings
Referring to a period of time from the recent past up to the present.
Examples
最近忙しいので休みがない。
I have no holidays because I have been busy recently.
最近雨が多いので外に出ない。
I do not go outside because there has been a lot of rain recently.
最近新しい本をたくさん読んだ。
I read many new books recently.