Japanese Conversation · Level 8
90 words
Japanese word
だんだん
Pronunciation
Romajidandan
Meaning
- adverbgradually
Example
天気はだんだん暖かくなります。ten ki wa da n da n atata ka ku na ri ma su
The weather gradually gets warmer.
More examples
練習を続けると、だんだん上手になります。ren shū o tsuzu ke ru to da n da n jō zu ni na ri ma su
As you keep practicing, you gradually get better.
Core concept
It presents a change as moving forward in small steps over time, rather than happening all at once.
Common phrases
だんだん暖かくなるda n da n atata ka ku na ru
gradually get warmer
だんだん増えるda n da n fu e ru
gradually increase
だんだん慣れるda n da n na re ru
gradually get used to
Similar words
少しずつsukoshizutsu: It describes a change that happens in small amounts or steps.
Definition in Japanese
時間の経過とともに、少しずつ変化するさま。ji kan no kei ka to to mo ni suko shi zu tsu hen ka su ru sa ma
Word origin
The adverb だんだん (dandan) comes from the repeated noun 段 (dan, "step"), expressing change that proceeds step by step.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, だんだん (dandan) often describes changes in weather, skills, or feelings that become noticeable over time.
Other meanings
- increasinglyadverb