How to say "lately" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 最近さいきんno-adjective, adverbThe default, all-purpose choice: it covers both a single recent event ('recently') and a continuing state ('these days'), so when you are unsure which word fits 'lately', reach for this one.
- 近頃ちかごろadverb, no-adjectiveA close synonym of 最近 with much the same range; either word is fine in most sentences about what has been happening lately or these days.
- この間このあいだnoun, adverbChiefly means 'the other day' — one particular recent occasion — so it is seldom the word you want for the ongoing 'these days' sense of 'lately'; turn to 最近 or この頃 instead.
- この頃このごろadverb, nounPoints to the recent stretch of time running up to now, matching 'these days' and 'nowadays'; use it when describing how things have been going during that period.
- 昨今さっこんnoun, adverbAlso means 'these days', but its typical home is commentary on broad social or public conditions — news reports, business talk — rather than casual talk about your own life.
最近 is the all-purpose default for both 'recently' and 'these days'; 近頃 and 「この頃」 are close rivals for ongoing trends; 「この間」 points to one specific recent occasion; 昨今 fits commentary on social conditions.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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