The Meaning of dandan [段々] In Japanese

段々
だんだん
Romaji: dandan N5

What does 段々 mean?

Translation and Meaning

gradually, little by little, step by step

Definition

段々 means gradually; it describes a change or progression that unfolds in small, successive steps, conveying steady development over time.

Type

adverb (副詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • incremental change that unfolds over time
  • to describe a trend or change that becomes more pronounced or intense
  • often used with だんだんと to emphasize the ongoing nature of the change

Etymology

段 means step or level, while 々 is the repetition indicator; together they convey the idea of repeated steps and gradual progression.

Origin

Native to Japanese; a native kanji compound used in classical and modern language, signaling gradual change across contexts.

Composition

  • 段: step, tier; 々: repetition marker indicating repetition or continuation; combined they express a sequence of steps leading to gradual change

Usage

Used in both spoken and written Japanese to describe a progression that unfolds gradually; common in formal and casual contexts; often placed before verbs or adjectives and frequently accompanied by だんだんと to intensify the sense of progression.
💡 Tips
段 and 々 together evoke a staircase where the sound だんだん builds with each step, signaling ongoing progression.

Variations

  • jojo ni, 徐々に — gradual progression
  • shidai ni, 次第に — gradual change with a sense of sequence
  • dandan to, だんだんと — stronger adverbial form

Example Phrases

  • 段々暖かくなってきたので、布団を干す。
    Dandan atatakaku natte kita node, futon o hosu.
    It’s gradually getting warmer, so I’m airing out the futon.
    Lista:
    • 段々 (dandan) – gradually
    • 暖かく (atatakaku) – warm
    • なって (natte) – become
    • きた (kita) – has come
    • ので (node) – because
    • 布団を (futon o) – futon (object marker)
    • 干す (hosu) – to hang (to dry)
    Core point: 「段々」 marks a gradual change and modifies the following 暖かくなる phrase; here it shows warming over time before the clause 「なってきた」.
段々