最近
zuì jìn · HSK 2
these days
⏰ 最 = most + 近 = near → 'most near' in time = recent
最 means 'most' (superlative marker) and 近 means 'near/close'. Together they mean 'most near' — closest to now in time, i.e. recent or lately. Same 近 appears in 附近 (nearby) and 接近 (approach).
最 — top 冃 (hat/cover) + bottom 取 (take)
Originally a compound suggesting taking something even at risk, with 冃 (a covering, often confused with 日 sun) over 取 (to seize). Over time it shifted from 'to risk taking' to the superlative meaning 'most' or 'extremely', its modern use in Chinese.
近 — 辶 (walk) + 斤 (axe, phonetic)
近 is a semantic-phonetic compound. The 辶 radical signals movement or distance, while 斤 (axe) supplies the sound. Together they convey the idea of a short distance to walk, hence 'near' or 'close'.