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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'gradually' with 渐渐 (jiànjiàn)

    Aspect & Tense
    Time Expressions

    Structure

    渐渐 + Verb

    Explanation

    The adverb 渐渐 (jiànjiàn) means "gradually" or "little by little." It describes a slow, progressive change over time. For example, 她的声音渐渐消失 means "her voice gradually faded away."

    Examples

    • 天色渐渐暗了下来,我们该回家了。

      Tiānsè jiànjiàn àn le xiàlái, wǒmen gāi huí jiā le.

      It was getting dark, and we should head home.

    • 他的中文渐渐进步了,现在能跟人聊天了。

      Tā de Zhōngwén jiànjiàn jìnbù le, xiànzài néng gēn rén liáotiān le.

      His Chinese has gradually improved, and now he can chat with people.

    • 春天来了,天气渐渐暖和起来。

      Chūntiān lái le, tiānqì jiànjiàn nuǎnhuo qǐlái.

      Spring has come, and the weather is gradually getting warmer.

    Expressing 'gradually' with 渐渐 (jiànjiàn) | Chinese Grammar