1.
moment by moment; minute by minute
Describes something changing or progressing continuously with each passing moment. Emphasizes constant, ongoing change.
状況は刻々と変わっている。
The situation is changing moment by moment.
刻々と迫る締め切りに追われている。
I'm being chased by a deadline that's getting closer by the minute.
ニュースで刻々と情報が入ってくる。
Information is coming in continuously through the news.
刻々 emphasizes continuous, incremental change over time. It is typically used for situations that are urgent, evolving, or dramatic.
GRAMMAR:
As a taru-adjective, it takes the particle と when modifying a verb: 刻々と変わる. It does not take な or の.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 刻々と変わる: to change moment by moment
- 刻々と迫る: to approach steadily
- 刻々と過ぎる: to pass moment by moment
- 刻々と悪化する: to worsen steadily
REGISTER:
Slightly literary or formal. Common in news reporting and written Japanese. Less common in casual conversation.
ETYMOLOGY:
刻 originally referred to units of time, so 刻々 literally means "time period by time period."
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 次第に: gradually (more general, less dramatic)
- 徐々に: little by little (slower pace implied)