Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'lately' depends on whether you're talking about a recent ongoing state, a recent change, or a specific recent event. The most common and versatile word is 最近 (saikin), but other expressions like このところ (kono tokoro) and 近頃 (chikagoro) add nuance.
To refer to something that has been happening or true in the days/weeks leading up to now, without emphasizing a change.
The most common and neutral way to say 'lately' or 'recently'. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts. Often used with the present progressive or past tense.
最近、忙しいです。
I've been busy lately.
最近、彼に会ってない。
I haven't seen him lately.
Means 'these days' or 'lately', implying a continuous state over the recent period. Slightly more conversational than 最近.
このところ、雨ばかりだ。
It's been nothing but rain lately.
Similar to 最近 but can sound slightly more formal or literary. Often used in written language or polite speech.
近頃、物価が上がっている。
Prices have been rising lately.
To emphasize that something has started happening recently or is different from how it used to be.
Pattern meaning 'have started to ~ lately'. Use with dictionary form of verb + ようになった.
最近、早く起きるようになった。
Lately I've started waking up early.
Pattern meaning 'have been ~ing lately' with a sense of gradual change. Use with te-form of verb + きた.
このところ、疲れがたまってきた。
Lately, fatigue has been building up.
To refer to a very recent period, often the past few days, with a nuance of 'just lately'.
Literally 'these few days'. Used when you want to emphasize a very short recent period.
ここ数日、寒いね。
It's been cold lately, huh? (these past few days)
Same meaning as ここ数日, slightly more formal.
この数日、連絡が取れない。
I haven't been able to reach him lately (these past few days).
To ask 'What have you been up to lately?' or similar.
Casual way to ask 'How have you been lately?' or 'What's up lately?'.
最近どう？元気？
How have you been lately? You good?
Casual 'What have you been doing lately?'.
最近何してる？仕事忙しい？
What have you been up to lately? Busy with work?
最近 is the most common and neutral. このところ implies a continuous state over the recent period and is slightly more conversational. 近頃 is more formal/literary and often used in writing or polite speech. All three can often be used interchangeably, but 最近 is the safest choice for learners.
When 最近 is used with past tense, it often means 'recently' in the sense of 'the other day' or 'not long ago', referring to a specific event. Example: 最近、映画を見た (I saw a movie recently). To express an ongoing state, use present progressive or ～ている form.