Translation guide
To express that something happens slowly over time, step by step, or little by little.
Describe a process that advances in small increments.
Describe a gentle, not steep, physical slope.
Adjective meaning 'gentle' or 'gradual' for slopes, curves, or changes. Can also describe moderate rules.
この坂は緩やかだ。
This slope is gradual.
緩やかなカーブを描く道
A road with a gradual curve
Emphasize a smooth, step-by-step transition from one state to another.
Pattern combining 徐々に with 〜ていく (ongoing change into the future) or 〜てくる (change up to now).
徐々に明るくなっていく。
It's gradually getting brighter.
徐々に分かってきた。
I've gradually come to understand.
All three mean 'gradually', but 徐々に is neutral and slightly formal, だんだん is casual and often implies a natural progression, and 少しずつ emphasizes small quantities or steps. In many situations they are interchangeable, but 少しずつ is preferred when focusing on incremental amounts.
徐々にスピードを上げる。
Gradually increase speed.
だんだん面白くなってきた。
It's gradually getting interesting.
少しずつ食べる。
Eat little by little.
It's gradually getting warmer.
彼の健康は徐々に回復している。
His health is gradually recovering.
Means 'little by little', emphasizing small amounts at a time. Very common in spoken Japanese.
少しずつ日本語が上手になっている。
My Japanese is improving little by little.
貯金を少しずつ増やしている。
I'm gradually increasing my savings.
Common adverb for gradual change, often used in everyday speech. Implies a natural progression.
だんだん暗くなってきた。
It's gradually getting dark.
だんだん慣れてくるよ。
You'll gradually get used to it.
Similar to 徐々に but slightly more formal or literary. Often used in written descriptions.
次第に霧が晴れてきた。
The fog gradually lifted.
Specifically for gentle, smooth slopes or inclines. Often used in geography or hiking contexts.
なだらかな丘が続いている。
Gentle hills stretch on.
Formal, technical term for 'gradual' or 'incremental', often used in policy or academic contexts.
漸進的な改革を進める。
Promote gradual reform.
English 'gradual' can sometimes be translated as ゆっくり (slowly) if the focus is on speed rather than incremental progress. Choose based on whether you mean 'step by step' or simply 'not fast'.
English 'gradual' can sometimes be translated as ゆっくり (slowly) if the focus is on speed rather than incremental progress. Choose based on whether you mean 'step by step' or simply 'not fast'.