1.
gradually; little by little; step by step
Indicates a gradual change or progression over time. Often used with verbs describing change of state.
段々と暖かくなってきた。
It has gradually gotten warmer.
日本語が段々と上手になっている。
Your Japanese is getting better little by little.
空が段々と暗くなって、やがて雨が降り始めた。
The sky gradually grew darker, and before long it started to rain.
段々と expresses gradual change over time. The particle と is often omitted in casual speech, giving 段々 alone.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 段々（と）〜てくる: to gradually come to ~ (approaching the present)
- 段々（と）〜ていく: to gradually go on to ~ (moving away from the present)
- 段々（と）〜なる: to gradually become ~
EXAMPLE PATTERN:
段々と分かってきた (I gradually came to understand).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 徐々に: gradually (more formal, written style)
- 次第に: gradually (emphasizes sequential progression)
- 少しずつ: little by little (focuses on small increments)
- 段々 is the most common and natural in everyday conversation