次し第だい次し第だいに

し

だ

い

し

だ

い

に

Meanings

1

adverb

gradually; little by little; step by step

Describes a slow, steady progression over time. Often used in narrative or descriptive contexts.

空そらが次し第だい次し第だいに暗くらくなってきた。
The sky gradually grew dark.
練れん習

しゅう

を

続つづ

け

て

、

次し

第だい

次し

第だい

に

上手じょうず

に

なっ

た

。

By continuing to practice, I improved little by little.

Written forms

次し第だい次し第だいに
Standard kanji spelling; the repetition of 次第 emphasizes gradual progression.
次第々々しだいしだいに
Uses iteration marks (々々); less common in modern writing but still encountered.

Kanji

次next, order, sequence
第No., residence

Similar words

次し第だいに
次第に is the more common, non-reduplicated form with the same meaning of 'gradually'. 次第次第に is more emphatic or literary, stressing the step-by-step nature.
徐じょ々じょに
徐々に also means 'gradually', but is slightly more formal and often used in written language. 次第次第に has a more rhythmic, colloquial feel.

Etymology

Reduplication of 次第 (しだい, 'order' or 'circumstances') with the adverbial particle に. The repetition intensifies the sense of gradual, ordered progression.