最近 zuìjìn recently
recently; lately; soon; in the near future
How to remember 最近: 最 the most + 近 close = recently.
Characters
How it is used
- Recently / these days - 最近怎么样 (zuìjìn zěnmeyàng) how have you been lately? Covers a span around now, not a single point.
- Can also lean forward to 'in the near future': 最近要考试 (zuìjìn yào kǎoshì) there's an exam coming up soon.
- Literally 'the most near' (最 most + 近 near). Contrast 刚才 (gāngcái, a moment ago), which is a specific just-past instant, not a stretch of days.
Example sentences
- 我最近很忙。 Wǒ zuìjìn hěn máng.I'm very busy these days.
- 她最近就要出国了。 Tā zuìjìn jiùyào chūguó le.She will go abroad soon.
- 最近科技发展很快。 Zuìjìn kējì fāzhǎn hěn kuài.Technology has recently been developing rapidly.