How common it is
最近 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say zuì jìn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“最近”用来表示时间，通常指近几天或最近一段时间。
zuì jìn lái bǎo shí jiān, tōng cháng zhǐ jìn tiān.
"最近" is used to indicate time, usually referring to recent days or a short period of time.
Context note
“最近”常用于日常对话中，比如询问或告知近况。
zuì jìn cháng yòng yú rì chánɡ huà zhōnɡ, bǐ 如 问 xún kàn qīn ɡào jìn kuàng.
"最近" is commonly used in daily conversations, such as asking or informing about recent conditions.
5 examples
妈妈最近身体怎么样？
mā ma zuì jìn shēn tǐ zěn me yàng？
Mom, how's your health recently?
最近天气不错。
zuì jìn tiān qì bú cuò。
The weather has been nice lately.
最近我学了很多新单词。
zuì jìn wǒ xué le hěn duō xīn dān cí。
I've learned many new words recently.
最近你去哪里玩了？
zuì jìn nǐ qù nǎ lǐ wán le？
Where have you gone to play recently?
最近学校放假了。
zuì jìn xué xiào fàng jià le。
The school is on holiday recently.
5 mini stories
小明最近每天早上跑步。他觉得这样做对身体有好处。
xiǎo míng zuì jìn měi tiān zǎo shàng pǎo bù。 tā jué de zhè yàng zuò duì shēn tǐ yǒu hǎo chù。
Xiao Ming runs every morning lately. He thinks it's good for his health.
妈妈最近工作很忙，但是她还是抽空陪我玩。
mā ma zuì jìn gōng zuò hěn máng， dàn shì tā hái shì chōu kōng péi wǒ wán。
Mom is very busy at work recently, but she still finds time to play with me.
最近天气变冷了，爸爸提醒我要多穿衣服。
zuì jìn tiān qì biàn lěng le， bà ba tí xǐng wǒ yào duō chuān yī fu。
The weather has gotten colder lately, and Dad reminded me to wear more clothes.
最近我学会了做蛋糕。妈妈说我很聪明。
zuì jìn wǒ xué huì le zuò dàn gāo。 mā ma shuō wǒ hěn cōng ming。
I recently learned how to make a cake. Mom said I'm smart.
最近妹妹在学校表现很好，爸爸很高兴。
zuì jìn mèi mei zài xué xiào biǎo xiàn hěn hǎo， bà ba hěn gāo xìng。
Sister has been doing well at school lately, and Dad is very happy.