noun, adverb
Used to refer to the current period or recent times, often in contrast to the past. Can function as a noun or adverb.
この節は忙しくて、なかなか休めない。
These days I'm so busy I can hardly take a break.
この節、若者の間でその言葉が流行っている。
Recently, that word has become popular among young people.
Compound of この (this) and 節 (time, occasion). The reading せつ for 節 is a standard Sino-Japanese reading.