Korean Dictionary
How to say "Recently" in Korean
“Recently” in Korean is 최근에 (pronounced "chogeun-e").
최근에
chogeun-e
Usage & Context
The word for recently, indicating something happened in the near past. This is commonly used in conversations about recent events.
Example Sentence
최근에 새 책을 샀어요.
I recently bought a new book.
How to use 최근에 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Recently” is 최근에, romanized as chogeun-e.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 최근에.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounce "choe" like the 'choy' in 'boy', "geun" like 'goon' in 'moon', and "e" like 'eh' in 'bed'. The stress falls on the first syllable, "choe".
More Example Sentences
Discussing favorite movies with a friend.
최근에 본 영화 중에 제일 좋았어요.
Among the movies I've seen recently, this was the best.
Catching up with an acquaintance you haven't seen in a while.
최근에 무슨 좋은 일 있었어요?
Did anything good happen recently?
Sharing a new hobby or routine with colleagues.
저는 최근에 운동 시작했어요.
I recently started exercising.
Cultural Context
최근에 is often used when asking for updates or sharing news about past events. While similar to 요즘 (yojum, 'these days'), 최근에 specifically refers to a more defined, immediate past. In K-dramas, characters often use it to inquire about someone's recent experiences or changes in their life.
Editorial note
We review entries like 최근에 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
최근 소식
recent news
최근 트렌드
recent trend
최근 근황
recent status/updates
Related Expressions
요즘
yojum
these days, nowadays
얼마 전에
eolma jeone
a little while ago
과거에
gwageo-e
in the past
미래에
mirae-e
in the future
More Numbers and Time Words
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