Meaning of 渐渐
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- gradually
How to use 渐渐
渐渐 describes a change that happens little by little, and it usually comes before the verb, often with 地 (de) or followed by a change word like 变 or 了. Example: 天渐渐黑了。(Tiān jiànjiàn hēi le.) It is gradually getting dark.
渐 (jiàn) has the water radical 氵 on the left, so picture water seeping in drop by drop. Doubling it as 渐渐 stretches the idea out, like water slowly rising over time.
Common mistake: Learners often read the second 渐 with a neutral tone, but both syllables keep the fourth tone: jiànjiàn. Also do not confuse 渐 with 暂 (zàn, temporary), which shares the 斩 part but has 日 at the bottom.
渐渐 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
渐 jiàn · gradually · 11 strokes
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渐 jiàn · gradually · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 渐渐.
Questions about 渐渐
What does 渐渐 mean?
渐渐 (jiànjiàn) means "gradually" and is used as a adverb.
How do you write 渐渐?
渐渐 is made of 2 characters: 渐 (11 strokes), 渐 (11 strokes). That is 22 strokes in total.
Is 渐渐 an HSK word?
Yes. 渐渐 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 渐渐 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 渐渐 is written 漸漸.
What is the difference between 渐渐 and 逐渐?
Both mean gradually, but 渐渐 feels more natural and descriptive, and it is common in speech and stories. 逐渐 (zhújiàn) sounds more formal and suits written or analytical contexts, such as 经济逐渐恢复 (the economy gradually recovered).
Can 渐渐 be used at the start of a sentence?
Yes, it can come before the subject, often with a comma or 地, as in 渐渐地，我习惯了这里的生活 (Gradually, I got used to life here). It still describes a process of change, not a single sudden event.