1.
gradually, slowly, little by little
Describes a slow, steady progression or change over time.
空が徐々に暗くなってきた。
The sky gradually became dark.
病気は徐々に回復している。
The illness is gradually recovering.
彼の日本語は徐々に上達している。
His Japanese is gradually improving.
USAGE: 徐々に emphasizes a slow, steady pace of change without sudden movements or shifts.
POSITION: Typically appears before the verb it modifies.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- だんだん - gradually (slightly more casual)
- しだいに - gradually, increasingly
- ゆっくり - slowly (emphasizes pace rather than progression)