How to say "nowadays" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- この頃このごろadverb, nounCovers 'nowadays, these days' in neutral, conversational contexts. Typical for everyday remarks like how one has been feeling or what people have been doing recently; the natural default in speech.
- 昨今さっこんnoun, adverbMeans 'nowadays, these days' with a formal, written or news-like flavor. Best suited to commentary on social conditions or public affairs rather than casual chat about oneself; in relaxed conversation it can sound stiff.
- 今時いまどきnoun, adverbCovers 'nowadays, these days, today' with an evaluative nuance, often commenting on the present age or current fashions and behavior. Fits remarks like how people are different nowadays; can carry a tone of surprise or mild criticism.
- 近頃ちかごろadverb, no-adjectiveMeans 'lately, recently, nowadays' and works well for personal, day-to-day observations spoken in a casual register. A natural choice when talking about changes in one's own life or surroundings in recent times.
- 最近さいきんno-adjective, adverbPrimarily 'recently, lately', with 'these days, nowadays' as an extended sense. Very common in both speech and writing; the safest all-purpose word when the emphasis is on the recent past rather than a general characterization of the present era.
All five cover 'nowadays'; choose 「この頃」, 近頃, or 最近 for casual everyday talk, 今時 when commenting on current times or trends, and the more formal 昨今 for writing and serious discussion.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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