JLPT N1・N4 Vocabulary – Difference between “最近” and “昨今”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “最近” and “昨今“
2. 最近
3. 昨今
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similer Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “最近” and “昨今”?
A: Both refer to a time in the recent past, but they differ in usage and nuance. “最近” is used in casual, everyday conversation, while “昨今” is a more formal expression, often found in news articles and commentaries. The key differences and usage points are summarized below.
最近 (JLPT N4)
[Meaning]
An expression that refers to a relatively short period slightly before the present.
[Examples]
最近、ハマっているのはピラティスです。
Lately, I’ve been really into Pilates.
最近のファッションにはついていけません。
I can’t keep up with recent fashion trends.
最近、暑いですね。
It’s been hot lately, hasn’t it?
“最近” is commonly used in casual, everyday situations. It is a colloquial term that fits naturally in spoken conversation. While it can also be used in written language, it tends to be less formal.
[Examples]
最近できたカフェは、若者にとても人気です。
The café that opened recently is very popular among young people.
最近は高校でも金融について学び始めているらしいね。
It seems that even high schools have recently started teaching about finance.
最近、ガス代やら電気代やら上がって生活が大変です。
Recently, things like gas and electricity bills have gone up, and life has become tough.
昨今 (JLPT N1)
[Meaning]
An expression that refers to a somewhat broad and vague period, from the recent past up to the present.
[Examples]
昨今の気候変動は深刻です。
The recent climate change is serious.
昨今の物価の上昇は異常である。
The recent rise in prices is abnormal.
“昨今” is a relatively formal expression often used in contexts such as news articles, commentaries, and reports. It is particularly suitable for describing overall social trends, current changes, or raising issues in a formal or analytical setting.
[Examples]
昨今の労働環境には大きな問題があります。
There are major problems in the current labor environment.
昨今の世界経済の不安定さは、投資行動にも影響を与えています。
The recent instability in the global economy is affecting investment behavior.
昨今、世界では健康志向が高まり、日本食がブームになっています。
Recently, health consciousness has been rising around the world, and Japanese cuisine has become a trend.
Let’s Compare
“最近” and “昨今” have similar meanings, but which one is appropriate depends on the speaker’s intent and the level of formality in the context.
Let’s look at the following examples to understand how to use them properly.
[Examples]
① 最近、このアニメが大好きです。
② 昨今、このアニメが大好きです。
Correct answer: ① “最近” This sentence expresses a personal hobby in a casual, everyday context, so “最近” sounds natural. “昨今” feels too formal and stiff for this type of sentence.
Now, let’s consider another example:
[Examples]
① 最近、若者の読書離れや活字離れというものが問題になっています。
② 昨今、若者の読書離れや活字離れというものが問題になっています。
In this case, both are grammatically acceptable, but since the sentence discusses a social trend or issue, “昨今” better matches the formal tone of the content. Using “最近” here may sound too casual and weaken the impact of the message.
“昨今” is also suitable for statements based on objective analysis or data.
[Examples]
昨今の円安は、輸入品の価格に大きな影響を与えている。
The recent depreciation of the yen has had a significant impact on the prices of imported goods.
昨今、日本では教師不足が深刻化し、国はその対応に追われている。
In recent times, Japan has been facing a serious shortage of teachers, and the government is struggling to respond.
As shown, “最近” is best used for personal experiences and everyday situations, while “昨今” fits better when discussing social phenomena or objective analysis.
Choose the appropriate word according to the tone of the sentence and the message you want to convey.
Summary
[最近]
- Refers to a relatively short period slightly before the present.
- It is widely used in everyday situations. While it can also appear in written language, it is considered less formal.
[昨今]
- Refers to a somewhat broader period from the recent past up to the present.
- It is suitable for formal contexts such as newspapers and commentaries, and is often used when objectively discussing social trends, current issues, or data analysis.
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. 昨今
昨今の気候変動は作物栽培に影響を与えています。
The recent climate change has affected crop cultivation.
*Since this addresses an environmental issue, “昨今” is the more appropriate choice.
A. 最近
最近どこかに行きましたか。
Have you been anywhere recently?
*This is a casual, everyday conversation, so “最近” sounds more natural.
A. 昨今
昨今、スマートフォンの使用は脳に悪影響であるというデータが発表されました。
In recent times, data has been released showing that smartphone use has a negative effect on the brain.
*As the sentence presents objective data, the more formal expression “昨今” is appropriate.
A. 最近
最近、日本に旅行したんです。とても楽しかったですよ。
I recently traveled to Japan. It was a wonderful experience.
*This is a casual, personal story, so “最近” is the better fit.
Similer Articles
▼ Subscribe to Our Newsletter ▼
Receive free tips for learning Japanese!
