Dandan is a Japanese word for ‘gradually’, explained

What does “dandan” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers use dandan often to mean ‘gradually’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I’m explaining this word in detail together with example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand dandan more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “dandan”
  • How to say “gradually” in Japanese
  • Another example of “dandan”
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “dandan”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of dandan.

• dandan – だんだん : an adverb often used to mean ‘gradually’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘step by step’, ‘continuously’, or such in Japanese.

Japanese native speakers use this adverb when something changes slowly but steadily.

The definition and meanings are not that difficult, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this adverb through the example sentences below.

How to say “gradually” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• sekai – 世界 (せかい) : a noun meaning the ‘world’ in Japanese.
• wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after sekai to make the subject in the sentence.
• kawat – 変わっ (かわっ) : one conjugation of the verb, kawaru, which means ‘to change’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form. In the example, this is used after kawat to make its te form, kawat te. Verbs need to be changed to their te forms to be connected with iru.
• iru – いる : an auxiliary verb used to express the continuity of the action described by its preceding verb. In the example, this is used after kawat te to mean ‘to be changing’ in Japanese.

This is a typical usage of dandan. In this example, it works in the middle of the sentence to add the meaning of ‘gradually’ in Japanese.

Another example of “dandan”

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• sora – 空 (そら) : a noun meaning the ‘sky’ in Japanese.
• ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after sora to make the subject in the sentence.
• akaruku – 明るく (あかるく) : one conjugation of the i-adjective, akarui, which means ‘bright’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• nat – なっ : one conjugation of the verb, naru, which means ‘to become’, ‘to get’, ‘to turn’, or just ‘to be’ in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.

This is another example of dandan. When we want to describe something which changes slowly but steadily in Japanese, this adverb is very helpful.

Summary

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of dandan in detail together with the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• dandan – だんだん : an adverb often used to mean ‘gradually’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘step by step’, ‘continuously’, or such in Japanese. Japanese native speakers use this adverb when something changes slowly but steadily.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.