year after year; with each passing year
Describes a gradual change or progression that occurs as years go by. Often used with verbs indicating increase, decrease, or change.
His skills are improving year after year.
The population of this town is decreasing with each passing year.
Standard kanji spelling.
Alternative spelling using 歳, which emphasizes age rather than year.
Variant using 毎に instead of ごとに; slightly more formal or literary.
A set phrase composed of 年 (year), を (object marker), 追う (to chase, to follow), and ごとに (each time). Literally 'each time one chases the years', it conveys the idea of something happening as years pass.