刻々(こっこく)

こっこく
adverb, taru-adjective
moment by moment; minute by minute
1. moment by moment; minute by minute
Describes something changing or progressing continuously with each passing moment. Emphasizes constant, ongoing change.
状況(じょうきょう)は刻々(こっこく)と変(か)わっている。
The situation is changing moment by moment.
刻々(こっこく)と迫(せま)る締(し)め切(き)りに追(お)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(こっこく)と情報(じょうほう)が入(はい)ってくる。
Information is coming in continuously through the news.

刻々(こっこく) 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(こっこく)と変(か)わる. It does not take な or の.

COMMON PATTERNS:

REGISTER:
Slightly literary or formal. Common in news reporting and written Japanese. Less common in casual conversation.

ETYMOLOGY:
刻(こく) originally referred to units of time, so 刻々(こっこく) literally means "time period by time period."

SIMILAR WORDS:

general
Added 2026.1.16 23:51 · Revised 2026.6.9 5:05
05500/05898_kokkoku