逐渐 (zhújiàn) — gradually; little by little; progressively

逐渐 (zhújiàn)

逐渐 is an adverb describing a process that happens slowly and incrementally over time, without sudden jumps or breaks.

Meanings

1. [adverb] gradually; little by little; progressively (placed before a verb or adjective to indicate slow, steady change)

Usage Note

逐渐 is placed directly before the verb or adjective it modifies. It emphasizes the gradual nature of a change and often appears with verbs of change such as 变 (biàn, to change), 增加 (zēngjiā, to increase), 减少 (jiǎnshǎo, to decrease), 了解 (liǎojiě, to understand), and 适应 (shìyìng, to adapt).

Compare with 慢慢 (mànmàn), which means "slowly" and focuses on pace, while 逐渐 focuses on the incremental, step-by-step nature of change.

Example Sentences

他的中文水平逐渐提高了。 Tā de Zhōngwén shuǐpíng zhújiàn tígāo le. His Chinese level has gradually improved.

天气逐渐变暖，春天来了。 Tiānqì zhújiàn biàn nuǎn, chūntiān lái le. The weather is gradually getting warmer; spring has arrived.

我逐渐了解了他的性格。 Wǒ zhújiàn liǎojiě le tā de xìnggé. I gradually came to understand his personality.

城市里的人口逐渐增加。 Chéngshì lǐ de rénkǒu zhújiàn zēngjiā. The population in the city is gradually increasing.

Collocations

Memory Hook

逐 means "to pursue / to follow one by one" and 渐 means "gradually." Picture someone chasing a goal step by step, following each small increment, moving forward gradually.