1.
in small steps; in small increments; bit by bit
Doing something in small, frequent amounts or movements rather than all at once.
小刻みに歩く。
To walk in small steps.
値段が小刻みに上がっている。
The price is rising in small increments.
休憩を小刻みに取った方が効率がいい。
Taking breaks in small, frequent intervals is more efficient.
2.
tremblingly; shivering; quivering
Shaking or trembling with small, rapid movements, often from cold, fear, or nervousness.
寒さで体が小刻みに震えた。
My body trembled from the cold.
緊張で手が小刻みに震えている。
My hands are trembling slightly from nervousness.
犬が恐怖で小刻みに震えていたので、抱き上げてあげた。
The dog was trembling with fear, so I picked it up.
WORD FORMATION:
小 (small) + 刻み (intervals/increments) + に (adverbial particle). Literally 'in small intervals.'
SENSE 1 — SMALL INCREMENTS:
Describes doing something in small, frequent amounts rather than all at once.
- 小刻みに歩く: to take small steps
- 小刻みに動く: to move in small increments
- 小刻みに休憩を取る: to take frequent short breaks
SENSE 2 — TREMBLING:
Specifically paired with 震える to describe rapid, small shaking from cold, fear, or nervousness.
- 寒さで小刻みに震える: to shiver from cold
- 緊張で小刻みに震える: to tremble from nervousness
CONTRAST:
- 小刻みに: small, rapid increments
- 少しずつ: little by little (gradual, not necessarily rapid)