だんだん
Meanings
- Gradually
- Little by little
- Step by step
About this pattern
Explanation
だんだん is an adverb used to describe change that happens slowly over time. It emphasizes a gradual progression toward a new state, often contrasting with a sudden change. It can modify verbs and adjectives and is commonly used with intransitive verbs like なる or with actions that show gradual improvement, increase, or decrease. In casual speech, だんだん is often paired with と to signal a continuing trend.
Learn in context
Example sentences
It has gradually become hotter.
I’ve gotten better little by little.
The rain has been getting stronger little by little.
My confidence has gradually started to grow.
The distance is gradually closing.
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