1.
nowadays, these days, in this day and age
Often used when commenting on modern trends or behaviors, sometimes with a critical or surprised tone.
今時珍しい。
That's rare nowadays.
今時の若者は新聞を読まない。
Young people nowadays don't read newspapers.
今時そんなことを言う人はいない。
Nobody says that kind of thing these days.
今時 means "nowadays" or "these days," often carrying a tone of mild criticism, surprise, or exasperation about modern trends or behaviors.
USAGE:
Can function as both a noun (with の) and an adverb:
- Noun: 今時の若者 (young people nowadays)
- Adverb: 今時そんなことを言う人はいない (Nobody says that these days)
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 今時の + noun: modern-day ~, today's ~
- 今時珍しい: rare these days
- 今時そんな〜: that kind of ~ in this day and age (often critical)
NUANCE:
Often implies the speaker finds something outdated or surprising given modern standards. Can sound slightly dismissive or judgmental.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 最近: recently (neutral, no critical nuance)
- 近頃: these days (similar but slightly more formal)