次第に

• Reading: しだいに
• Romaji: shidaini
• Kanji breakdown: 次 (ji/tsugi) — next, following; 第 (dai) — ordinal prefix, order
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.da.i.ni/

Meaning

Gradually; by degrees; little by little; bit by bit.

An adverb indicating a slow, progressive change over time. More formal and written than だんだん, and often used in literary or academic contexts. Derived from 次第 (order, sequence), which itself can function as a suffix meaning 'depending on.' As an adverb, 次第に focuses purely on the gradual nature of change.

Examples

1. 空が次第に暗くなり、やがて雨が降り出した。 The sky gradually grew dark, and eventually it started to rain.
2. 練習を重ねるうちに次第にコツがつかめてきた。 As I kept practicing, I gradually got the hang of it.
3. 彼とは次第に連絡を取らなくなった。 He and I gradually stopped keeping in touch.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, narration, description

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 次第 (shidai), meaning 'order' or 'sequence,' combined with the particle に. The word originally referred to following a set order, evolving into the sense of gradual progression.

Cultural Context

Era: Pre-modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal