gradual progress; steady advance
Refers to slow but steady progress, often used in formal or written contexts. Commonly appears in the phrase 漸を追う (ぜんをおう) meaning 'to make gradual progress'.
Reforms should be carried out step by step.
gradual progress; steady advance
gradually; little by little; incrementally
eastward advance; eastward spread
gradual increase
The kanji 漸 originally means 'to advance gradually' or 'to soak'. The reading ぜん is the on'yomi. The word is used in formal Japanese to express the concept of gradual progress.