徐々(じょじょ)に

じょじょに
adverb
gradually, slowly, little by little
descriptive
1. gradually, slowly, little by little
Describes a slow, steady progression or change over time.
空(そら)が徐々(じょじょ)に暗(くら)くなってきた。
The sky gradually became dark.
病気(びょうき)は徐々(じょじょ)に回復(かいふく)している。
The illness is gradually recovering.
彼(かれ)の日本語(にほんご)は徐々(じょじょ)に上達(じょうたつ)している。
His Japanese is gradually improving.

徐々(じょじょ)に emphasizes a slow, steady pace of change without abrupt shifts. The kanji 徐(じょ) means "slowly" and is repeated for emphasis.

Position in sentence

Typically placed directly before the verb it modifies: 徐々(じょじょ)に変(か)わる, 徐々(じょじょ)に増(ふ)える.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 徐々(じょじょ)に: slowly, steadily (slightly formal)
  • だんだん: gradually (casual, everyday)
  • 次第(しだい)に: increasingly, progressively (literary/formal)
  • ゆっくり: slowly (focuses on speed, not progression)

Related Words

Synonym: 次第(しだい)に (gradually (progressive))
Synonym: だんだん (gradually (casual))
Related: 着々(ちゃくちゃく) (steady progress)
Compare: ゆっくり (slowly)
Compare: 刻々(こっこく) (moment by moment)
Compare: 段階的(だんかいてき) (gradual, step-by-step)
Compare: おもむろに (slowly)
Compare: 一歩一歩(いっぽいっぽ) (step by step)
Compare: 一歩(いっぽ)ずつ (step by step)
Compare: 段々(だんだん)と (gradually)
Compare: 漸進的(ぜんしんてき) (gradual)
Compare: 追々(おいおい) (gradually)
general
Added 2026.1.13 23:00 · Revised 2026.9.29 6:51
04000/04131_jojoni