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最近 vs 近来

/ zuìjìn vs jìnlái /
Strokes

Definition

最近 and 近来 are both Noun, which means [recently, lately].

Example

最近 and 近来 both are nouns of time.
最近 indicates the time around the present (a few days, months, even a few years). It can be placed before an approximate time or used independently.
1
Zuìjìn
最近
liǎngsān
两三
tiān
jiùyào
就要
dào
liǎo
  

He will arrive in a couple days. (within two or three days)

2
Zuìjìn
最近
nián
zhè
这里
méi
shēng
发生
hóngshuǐ
洪水
  

There's been no flood here over the past few years. (in recent years)

3
Zuìjìn
最近
chūchāi
出差
le
  
,
zàijiā
在家
  

He is not in for he has been on business recently. (recently)

When used independently (as in example③).
1) 最近 indicates "a relatively short period of time".

2) 近来 indicates "the short period of time up to the present", and is usually used independently.

3) In examples ④ ⑤ and ⑥, 最近 can be used instead but indicates "a shorter period of time".
4
Zuìjìn
最近
shēn
身体
zěnmeyàng
怎么样
  
?

How've you been feeling these days?

5
jìnlái
近来
jiào
比较
máng
  

I've been busy these days.

6
Jìnlái
进来
tiān
天气
yǒuxiē
有些
fǎncháng
反常
  

The weather was a bit unusual recently.

Related

近来最近