段々
Gradually, Little by little, Step by step
Structure
Explanation
だんだん is an adverb used to show that something is changing gradually and consistently over time. Its origin is the kanji 段々, which conveys a sense of 'step-by-step' or 'stage-by-stage' progression. Much like other adverbs, だんだん can influence the meaning of an entire clause, not just an individual word.
To use だんだん, place it right before the part of the sentence that describes the gradual change you wish to express.
- 夕方になってからだんだん空が暗くなってきた。As evening approached, the sky gradually got dark.
- だんだん日本語が上手になってきた。My Japanese is gradually getting better.
Although だんだん can be followed by the particle と, it is not mandatory. In practice, the と is frequently dropped, which is common for many adverbs and onomatopoeia in Japanese.
- 彼はだんだんと元気になってきたね。He's gradually getting healthier, isn't he?
Caution
It's common for learners to confuse だんだん with どんどん at first. どんどん is an onomatopoeic adverb that suggests a rapid, continuous action, like the sound of drumming. It is used for fast-paced changes, in contrast to だんだん, which describes a slow and steady change.
- だんだん風が強くなってきた。The wind is gradually getting stronger. (A gradual increase in strength over time)
- どんどん風が強くなってきた。The wind is rapidly getting stronger. (A quick progression, suggesting a sudden and powerful change)
Examples
お医者さんが家族と話している、お医者さん：「薬が効いて、だんだん元気になってきましたよ。」
A doctor speaking with the patient's family, doctor: 'The medicine is working, and they have been gradually getting better.'
ピアノの先生が生徒に話している：「練習すれば、だんだん弾けるようになりますよ。」
A piano teacher speaking to a student: 'If you practice, you will gradually become able to play.'
友達が話している：「あ、雲がなくなって、だんだん空が明るくなってきたね。」
Friends talking: 'Oh, the clouds are disappearing, and the sky is gradually getting brighter, isn't it?'
友達が話している：「もう遅いし、だんだん眠くなってきた。」
Friends talking: 'It's getting late, and I'm gradually getting sleepy.'
友達が話している：「毎日話していたら、彼とだんだん仲良くなってきた。」
Chat between friends: 'After talking with him every day, we've gradually become good friends.'
店長が話している：「この新しいキャンペーンのおかげで、売り上げがだんだん上がってきています。」
A store manager speaking: 'Thanks to this new campaign, sales have been gradually increasing.'
近所の人が話している：「あの駅前のビル、だんだん完成に近づいてきたね。」
Neighbors talking: 'That building in front of the station is gradually nearing completion, isn't it?'
アルバイトの学生が話している：「仕事に慣れて、だんだんと自信がついてきました。」
A student with a part-time job talking: 'As I got used to the work, I gradually became more confident.'
スマホを見ながら：「やばい、スマホの充電がだんだんなくなってきた。」
While looking at their phone: 'Oh no, my phone's battery is gradually running out.'
公園を歩きながら：「木の葉がだんだん赤くなってきたね。」
While walking in the park: 'The leaves on the trees are gradually turning red, aren't they?'
お母さんが子供に：「スープがだんだん冷めてきたから、早く食べなさい。」
A mother to her child: 'The soup is gradually getting cold, so eat it quickly.'
おじいさんが話している：「年をとると、昔の記憶がだんだんと薄れていくんだ。」
An old man talking: 'As you get older, your old memories gradually begin to fade.'