この (temporal)

• Reading: この
• Romaji: kono
• Formation: この + Time noun (ごろ / 頃 / 間 / ところ / 先)

Meaning

A demonstrative adjective that, when combined with time-related nouns, indicates a period around the present moment — 'these days,' 'this time,' 'recently,' or 'lately.'

While この normally functions as a proximal demonstrative ('this'), its temporal usage marks a time period centered on the present. Common collocations include このごろ (these days), この頃 (recently/lately), この間 (the other day/recently), このところ (lately), and この先 (from now on). Unlike 最近 (さいきん), which simply states recency, このごろ and このところ carry a nuance of ongoing change or a state that has persisted for some time. この先 looks forward rather than backward. The choice between these expressions depends on whether the speaker emphasizes a past-to-present trend or a present-to-future outlook.

Examples

1. このごろ急に寒くなってきた。 It has suddenly gotten cold these days.
2. このところ残業が続いていて疲れている。 I've been tired because overtime has been continuing lately.
3. この間友人の結婚式に出席しました。 I attended a friend's wedding the other day.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• このごろ運動不足で体重が増えてしまった。
• このところ天気が不安定ですね。
• この先の予定はまだ決まっていません。

Don't Say

• このごろ去年旅行に行きました。(Using このごろ with a specific past event — このごろ means 'these days' and describes ongoing states, not one-time past events) → 去年旅行に行きました。
• このところ明日は雨です。(Using このところ for a future prediction — このところ refers to a recent period up to now, not tomorrow) → 明日は雨だそうです。

Origin & History

この is a fundamental Japanese demonstrative from the こそあど system. Its temporal usage developed naturally from the spatial sense of proximity, extending to temporal proximity around the present moment.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal