Definition
最近 (zuì jìn) is the everyday, all-purpose word for 'recently' or 'soon' — it covers both past and future time. 近期 (jìn qī) is more formal and often used in written announcements or schedules, while 近日 (jìn rì) is even more formal and literary, typically meaning 'in the past/few days'. 近来 (jìn lái) refers only to the recent past, not the future.
noun
recentlylately (referring to the past)soonin the near future (referring to the future)
Examples
- 最近。zuì jìn tiānqì bú tài hǎo.The weather hasn't been good recently.
- 最近。Tā zuì jìn huì lái Shànghǎi.He will come to Shanghai soon.
- 最近？zuì jìn de yīyuàn zài nǎlǐ?Where is the nearest hospital?
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