漸進的

• Reading: ぜんしんてき
• Romaji: zenshinteki
• Kanji breakdown: 漸 (zen) — gradual; 進 (shin) — advance, proceed; 的 (teki) — -like, adjectival suffix
• Pronunciation: /zeɴ.ɕiɴ.te.ki/

Meaning

Gradual; progressive. Describes something that advances slowly and steadily rather than all at once.

A な-adjective formed from 漸進 (gradual progress) plus the suffix 的. Used in formal or academic contexts to describe reforms, changes, or processes that happen incrementally. The opposite of 急進的 (radical). Can also function as an adverb with に (漸進的に).

Examples

1. 漸進的な改革が必要だと考える。 I believe gradual reform is necessary.
2. この問題には漸進的なアプローチが有効だ。 A gradual approach is effective for this problem.
3. 政府は漸進的に制度を変えていく方針だ。 The government's policy is to change the system gradually.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, academic, policy

Tone: measured

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 漸 (gradual) and 進 (advance), plus 的 (adjectival suffix). The character 漸 appears in the classical Chinese text 易経 (I Ching), describing gradual, natural development.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Academic