少しずつ・少しづつ|すこしずつsukoshizutsu

1. adverblittle by little; bit by bit
   彼かれは少すこしずつよくなっています。↗

   He is getting better bit by bit.

• Synonym徐々にじょじょにNeutralRefers to gradual, step-by-step change and leans toward written/formal prose, as in 「徐々に回復する」; focuses on the process of change.
• SynonymジワジワNeutralDescribes gradual progress like a slow seep, as in 「じわじわ効いてくる」; colloquial.
• Synonym次第にしだいにNeutralGradual change as time passes, as in 「次第に暗くなる」; leans toward written/formal prose.
• SynonymだんだんNeutralCommon in speech for gradual change, as in 「だんだん寒くなる」; focuses on change progressing over time.
• Synonym漸次ぜんじWrittenFormal written word for gradual, step-by-step progress, as in 「漸次増加する」.
• Synonym追々おいおいNeutralMeans gradually going forward from now on, as in 「追々説明します」; focuses on gradual progress in the future.
• SynonymちびちびCasualTaking tiny sips or bits at a time, as in 「酒をちびちび飲む」; focuses on using sparingly. Colloquial.
• SynonymぼちぼちCasualColloquial for unhurried, a little at a time, and also 'about time to', as in 「ぼちぼちやる」; common in Kansai but used elsewhere too.
• SynonymぼつぼつNeutralMeans scattered here and there, and also 'about time to', as in 「ぼつぼつ帰ろう」; 「少しずつ」 stresses advancing a little each time.
• SynonymじわっとNeutralSomething happening slowly but surely, as in 「汗がじわっと出る」 or 「じわっと効く」; 「少しずつ」 stresses small amounts over separate tries.
• SynonymじわりNeutralSlowly but steadily, as in 「じわりと迫る」; leans toward written/formal prose.
• RelatedじんわりNeutralSlowly and steadily, as in 「じんわり温かい」; also describes sweat or tears slowly welling up.
• Related次第次第にしだいしだいにWrittenA reduplicated form of 「次第に」 stressing gradual progress; written/formal and rare; in daily speech say 「少しずつ」 or 「だんだん」.
• Antonym一度にいちどにNeutralAll at once, in one go or simultaneously, as in 「一度に運ぶ」; opposite of 「少しずつ」, which proceeds bit by bit over separate tries.
• Antonym大量にNeutralIn large quantities, as in 「大量に買い込む」; opposite of 「少しずつ」, which takes a small amount each time.

Use 「少しずつ」 for advancing a little at a time, as in 「少しずつ慣れる」. For gradual change pick 「だんだん」 (speech) or 「徐々に」 (writing); for tiny sips, 「ちびちび」. 「追々」 looks to the future; 「じわじわ」「じわっと」「じわり」「じんわり」 suggest slow seeping progress; 「次第に」「漸次」「次第次第に」 suit written prose; 「ぼちぼち」「ぼつぼつ」 are unhurried or mean 'about time to'. Antonyms: 「大量に」 (in bulk), 「一度に」 (all at once).

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

1. 量りょうや程度ていどが小ちいさい段階だんかいを何度なんども繰り返くりかえしながら進すすむさま。