Chinese word

渐渐

Pronunciation

Pinyinjiàn jiàn

Meaning

  • adverbgradually

Example

天气渐渐暖和了。tiān qì jiàn jiàn nuǎn huo le

The weather gradually got warmer.

Illustration for 渐渐 (gradually)

More examples

孩子渐渐长大了。hái zi jiàn jiàn zhǎng dà le

The child gradually grew up.

Core concept

Marks change as a series of small steps unfolding over time, not as a sudden shift.

Common phrases

  • 渐渐变冷jiàn jiàn biàn lěng

    gradually get colder

  • 渐渐熟悉jiàn jiàn shú xī

    gradually get used to

  • 渐渐好转jiàn jiàn háo zhuǎn

    gradually get better

Similar words

逐渐zhú jiàn: Describes change advancing step by step toward a new state.
越来越yuè lái yuè: Shows a state or degree growing more and more intense.
慢慢màn màn: Shows an action or change proceeding slowly.

Definition in Chinese

表示随着时间或情况的推移，事物逐步发生变化或程度逐步加深。biǎo shì suí zhe shí jiān huò qíng kuàng de tuī yí shì wù zhú bù fā shēng biàn huà huò chéng dù zhú bù jiā shēn

Word origin

渐渐 (jiànjiàn, "gradually") comes from reduplicating 渐 (jiàn, "gradually"), a formation that emphasizes change occurring across a period of time.

Usage tips

  • Because it describes an unfolding change, this word fits ongoing situations and can sound unnatural for a single completed event with no process.

Other meanings

  • little by littleadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 渐渐地jiàn jiàn dìlittle by littleadverb

Word lists with this word