Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Gradually" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "gradually", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
ぼつぼつ
ぼつぼつ (botsubotsu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
漸次
ぜんじ (zenji)
N1 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "gradually" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between ぼつぼつ and 漸次.
In Japanese, ぼつぼつ (ぼつぼつ (botsubotsu)) is typically associated with "gradually, little by little; pimples, spots" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can mean 'gradually starting'.
On the other hand, 漸次 (ぜんじ (zenji)) maps to "gradually; by degrees; little by little" (Syllabus Level: N1) and represents Similar to 徐々に. A literal translation of "gradually" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "ぼつぼつ"
雨がぼつぼつ降り始めた。
It started raining little by little.
Bilingual Context for "漸次"
改革は漸次的に進められるべきだ。
Reforms should be advanced gradually.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "雨が ＿＿＿ 降り始めた。" (Meaning: "It started raining little by little.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "ぼつぼつ" fits here because it means "gradually, little by little; pimples, spots" in the context of: "It started raining little by little.". "漸次" represents "gradually; by degrees; little by little".