漸漸
ぜ
ん
ぜ
ん
Meanings
1
rare term
Rare literary adverb meaning 'gradually' or 'little by little'. In modern Japanese, 段々 (だんだん) or 徐々に (じょじょに) are used instead. This word is easily confused with 全然 (ぜんぜん, 'not at all').
In old writing, it is sometimes used like '漸漸に明るくなる' (it gradually becomes bright).
2
tall soaring rock
rare term
Extremely rare and obscure meaning; refers to the sight of a tall, soaring rock. Not used in modern Japanese.
The usage of '漸漸' to mean a tall rock is only found in classical texts.
3
rare term
Extremely rare and obscure meaning; refers to crying or weeping. Not used in modern Japanese.
Examples where '漸漸' means crying are only found in classical Japanese dictionaries.