I need help remembering the meanings of 近日 and 近年. They’ve been bouncing back and forth between Apprentice and Guru since I got to them. My problem is that the usage of 近 in the two words are basically opposites (one before, one after), and I can’t remember which is which. I would guess that the best way to learn them would be through exposure, of course. But that aside, any recommendations to remember them would be appreciated.
Thanks!
So one means in a few days, the other means in recent years, yes ?
Think of it this way: “in recent days” sounds weird compared to “in recent years”. Best I can think of. I also try to think, what’s more important to talk about, what’s happening in a few years or in a few days ? Now is more important, ergo in a few days, then just remember the other one is opposite.
Could think of them as close days and close years but on different sides of the spectrum ¯_(ツ)_/¯
I think it’s helpful to remember the second meaning of 近日 is “soon”. “In a few days”, is soon, whereas “in a few years” is not, so it must mean recent years.