Korean word

점차

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheomcha

Meaning

  • adverbgradually

Example

날씨가 점차 따뜻해지고 있어요.nal ssi ga cheom cha tta tteu tae ji go i sseo yo

The weather is gradually getting warmer.

Illustration for 점차 (gradually)

More examples

통증이 점차 줄어들고 있어요.tong jeung i cheom cha chu reo deul go i sseo yo

The pain is gradually decreasing.

Core concept

A change moves forward in small steps as time passes.

Common phrases

  • 점차 좋아지다cheom cha cho a ji da

    gradually get better

  • 점차 나아지다cheom cha na a ji da

    gradually improve

  • 점차 줄어들다cheom cha chu reo deul da

    gradually decrease

Similar words

조금씩chogeumssik: Small amounts or changes accumulate through repeated steps.
점점cheomjeom: A condition gradually gets better or worse with time.
서서히seoseohi: A change unfolds at a measured pace rather than quickly.
차차chacha: A process moves forward one stage at a time over time.

Definition in Korean

시간의 흐름에 따라 정도나 상태가 서서히 변해감을 나타내는 부사.si ga nui heu reu me tta ra cheong do na sang tae ga seo seo hi pyeon hae ga meul na ta nae neun pu sa

Word origin

The exact historical origin of this adverb is uncertain, so it is best learned as one vocabulary item for gradual change.

Usage tips

  • For TOPIK reading, notice which verb or adjective describes the change, because this adverb shows how that change develops.

Opposites

Related words

  • 점차적cheomchajeokgradualadjective
  • 점차적으로cheomchajeogeurograduallyadverb

Word lists with this word