expression, adverb, noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
Refers to the recent period up to now; often used when something has been happening continuously or noticeably in the near past.
It's been raining a lot lately.
I've been so busy these days that I can hardly rest.
Kanji spelling is seen but less common than kana.
Rare kanji form using 此; it is rarely used.
Compound of この (this) + ところ (place/time). The meaning shifted from 'this place' to 'this time period', referring to the recent stretch of time.