逐渐 (zhújiàn)

逐渐 describes a change that happens slowly and step by step over time, equivalent to "gradually" or "little by little."

Meanings

[adverb] Gradually; little by little; step by step (change happens slowly over time).

Example Sentences

天气逐渐变冷了，要多穿衣服。 Tiānqì zhújiàn biàn lěng le, yào duō chuān yīfu. The weather is gradually getting colder; you should wear more clothes.

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

随着时间的推移，她逐渐忘记了那段痛苦的经历。 Suízhe shíjiān de tuīyí, tā zhújiàn wàngjì le nà duàn tòngkǔ de jīnglì. As time passed, she gradually forgot that painful experience.

城市的人口逐渐增加，交通越来越拥挤。 Chéngshì de rénkǒu zhújiàn zēngjiā, jiāotōng yuè lái yuè yōngjǐ. The city's population is gradually increasing, and traffic is getting more and more congested.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
逐渐增加	to gradually increase
逐渐改变	to gradually change
逐渐提高	to gradually improve
逐渐消失	to gradually disappear
逐渐习惯	to gradually get used to

Usage Notes

逐渐 and 慢慢 both mean "gradually," but 逐渐 is more formal and often describes objective changes observed over time. 慢慢 is more colloquial and can also indicate the pace of an action (e.g., 慢慢走 = walk slowly).

Memory Hook

逐 means "to pursue/follow one by one" and 渐 means "gradual"; 逐渐 follows each small step, one after another, until a big change has occurred.