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.
徐々に emphasizes a slow, steady pace of change without abrupt shifts. The kanji 徐 means "slowly" and is repeated for emphasis.
POSITION:
Typically placed directly before the verb it modifies: 徐々に変わる, 徐々に増える.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 徐々に回復する: to gradually recover
- 徐々に慣れる: to gradually get used to
- 徐々に増える: to gradually increase
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 徐々に: slowly, steadily (slightly formal)
- だんだん: gradually (casual, everyday)
- 次第に: increasingly, progressively (literary/formal)
- ゆっくり: slowly (focuses on speed, not progression)