だんだん・段々・段段dandan[0]heiban (flat)

1. adverb (with と)gradually; by degrees; little by little; more and more; increasingly
   だんだん暖あたたかくなります。↗

   It will get warmer and warmer.
2. nounsteps; stairs; staircase; terrace

• Synonym徐々にじょじょにNeutralGradually, step by step; leans toward written style. 「段々」 is the everyday spoken word and stresses something becoming more and more.
• Synonym次第にしだいにNeutralGradually, by degrees; leans written, as in 「次第に暗くなる」. Use it in formal prose where 「段々」 would sound too casual.
• Synonym漸次ぜんじWrittenWritten word for gradually, step by step; found mainly in official documents. Much stiffer than 「段々」.
• Synonym少しずつすこしずつNeutralLittle by little, in small increments; common in daily speech and focused on small amounts accumulating. 「段々」 just says something becomes more and more.
• Synonym徐々じょじょWrittenSlow, calm and unhurried; mostly used as the adverb 「徐々に」, rarely on its own. A written-register word compared with spoken 「段々」.
• RelatedジワジワCasualColloquial mimetic word for closing in on or seeping into something little by little, as in 「ジワジワ効く」. Narrower and more vivid than 「段々」.
• RelatedゆっくりNeutralSlowly, unhurriedly; stresses slow speed or a relaxed pace rather than gradual change. 「段々」 tracks something becoming more and more.
• Related追々おいおいNeutralSlowly, step by step, often about doing something in due course, as in 「おいおい説明する」; the focus is on gradual progress going forward.
• RelatedちびちびCasualMimetic word for doing something in tiny bits or small sips, as in 「ちびちび飲む」; can also mean using something sparingly. Colloquial, and tied to small quantities.
• RelatedじんわりCasualMimetic word for warmth or emotion slowly seeping out and spreading, as in 「じんわり温まる」. Sensory and colloquial; 「段々」 covers change in general.
• RelatedぼちぼちCasualMimetic word for going at an easy pace, or for 'just about time to', as in 「ぼちぼち行こう」. Casual; 「段々」 describes gradual change itself.
• RelatedぼつぼつCasualMimetic word for things gradually starting or appearing here and there, as in 「ぼつぼつ帰る」. Spoken; 「段々」 is the general more-and-more adverb.
• Related漸進的ぜんしんてきWrittenA na-adjective meaning gradual, as in 「漸進的な改革」; academic or political flavor. It modifies nouns, unlike the adverb 「段々」.
• RelatedじわっとCasualMimetic word for tears, sweat or feelings slowly welling up, as in 「涙がじわっと出る」. Colloquial and tied to seeping or welling, unlike general 「段々」.
• RelatedじわりNeutralSlowly but steadily, as in 「じわりと上昇」. A mimetic word with a soft, steady feel; 「段々」 is the plain everyday adverb.

For 'more and more, gradually' in everyday speech, use 「段々」, as in 「段々寒くなる」. In written or formal prose prefer 「次第に」 or 「徐々に」. For small amounts building up say 「少しずつ」; for a slow seeping or creeping effect 「ジワジワ」; for an unhurried pace 「ゆっくり」 or 「ぼちぼち」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. いくつかの段だんを刻きざんだもの。階段かいだん。
2. 物事ものごとが順じゅんを追おって進すすむさま。徐徐じょじょに。
3. （福島ふくしま、佐渡さどの方言ほうげん）そろそろ。まもなく。
4. （山陰さんいん、愛媛えひめ、熊本くまもとの方言ほうげん）感謝かんしゃの気持きもちを表あらわす。「だんだんありがとう」の略りゃく。現在げんざいでは日常生活にちじょうせいかつにおいて使用しようされる頻度ひんどは少すくない。