次第に|しだいにshidaini[0]heiban (flat)

1. adverbgradually; by degrees; little by little; bit by bit
   日ひが経たつにつれて、天気てんきは次第しだいに悪化あっかしつつあった。↗

   The weather was getting worse and worse as the day went on.

• Synonym徐々にじょじょにNeutralAlso means gradually, as in 「徐々に回復する」, but leans toward written style; 「次第に」 stresses change unfolding over time and is the more versatile of the two.
• SynonymジワジワNeutralColloquial, with a sensory flavor: something seeps in or takes effect bit by bit, as in 「ジワジワ効いてくる」.
• SynonymだんだんNeutralThe most common choice in everyday speech, as in 「段々暑くなる」; 「次第に」 is the more general word of the two.
• Synonym漸次ぜんじWrittenWritten style, found mostly in reports, as in 「漸次増加する」; not for everyday speech.
• Synonym少しずつすこしずつNeutralLittle by little, and it works for both quantity and degree, as in 「少しずつ食べる」「少しずつ慣れる」.
• Synonym追々おいおいNeutralMeans step by step or in due course, as in 「追々説明します」; the focus is on doing something gradually later on, not on gradual change itself.
• SynonymじんわりNeutralFor sweat or tears seeping out slowly and softly, as in 「じんわり汗をかく」; the nuance is a gentle, mild feeling rather than plain gradual change.
• SynonymぼちぼちNeutralColloquial, especially common in the Kansai region: starting or doing something at an unhurried pace, as in 「ぼちぼち始めるか」.
• SynonymぼつぼつNeutralColloquial for people or things appearing little by little, as in 「ぼつぼつ人が来る」.
• Synonym次第次第にしだいしだいにNeutralA doubled, emphatic version of the headword meaning step by step, as in 「次第次第に慣れる」.
• SynonymじわっとCasualColloquial: something proceeds slowly but surely, or tears and sweat well up, as in 「じわっと涙が出る」; 「次第に」 is the more general word.
• SynonymじわりNeutralCreeping along slowly and steadily, as in 「じわりと迫る」; often seen in news reports.
• Synonym次第次第しだいしだいWrittenWritten in style, meaning little by little or step by step; usually appears as 「次第次第に」 and is stronger in tone than 「次第に」.
• RelatedゆっくりNeutralHighlights slow speed itself — of an action or of change, as in 「ゆっくり回復する」 — rather than gradual progression over time.
• RelatedようやくNeutralMostly means finally or at last, after effort or a long wait, as in 「ようやく完成した」; the emphasis is on something at last being achieved, not on gradual change.
• Antonym急にきゅうにNeutralAntonym: something changes suddenly, as in 「急に寒くなる」; the direct opposite of gradual change.
• Antonym突然とつぜんNeutralAntonym: something happens out of the blue, as in 「突然の雨」; no gradual process is involved.
• Antonym一気にいっきにNeutralAntonym: doing something in one go without stopping, as in 「一気に飲む」; everything happens at once instead of by degrees.

Use 「次第に」 when something changes little by little over time, as in 「次第に明るくなる」 or 「次第に慣れる」. In everyday conversation, 「だんだん」 is the usual choice; in written or formal prose, prefer 「徐々に」 or 「漸次」. When something seeps in or takes effect bit by bit, 「じわじわ」 is the word. For sudden rather than gradual change, turn to the antonyms 「急に」 and 「突然」.

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

1. 程度ていどや状態じょうたいが少すこしずつ推移すいいするさま。
2. 物事ものごとを順じゅんを追おってするさま。