だんだん

• Reading: だんだん
• Romaji: dandan
• Pronunciation: /daɴ.daɴ/

Meaning

Gradually; by degrees; little by little; more and more; increasingly.

Describes a gradual change or progression over time. Often paired with なる (to become) to describe evolving states (だんだん暖かくなる = gradually getting warmer). The kanji form 段々 uses the repetition of 段 (step/level) to convey step-by-step progression.

Examples

1. だんだん日本語が上手になりました。 My Japanese has gradually gotten better.
2. 秋になるとだんだん寒くなります。 When fall comes, it gradually gets colder.
3. だんだん空が暗くなってきた。 The sky gradually started getting dark.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, progress, change

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A reduplication of 段 (dan, step/stage), from the image of climbing stairs one step at a time. The repetition pattern mirrors the gradual nature of the change described.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal