Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Gradually" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "gradually", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
次第に
しだいに (shidai ni)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
ぼつぼつ
ぼつぼつ (botsubotsu)
N2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "gradually" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 次第に and ぼつぼつ.
In Japanese, 次第に (しだいに (shidai ni)) is typically associated with "gradually, by degrees" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents 副詞.
On the other hand, ぼつぼつ (ぼつぼつ (botsubotsu)) maps to "gradually, little by little; pimples, spots" (Syllabus Level: N2) and represents Can mean 'gradually starting'. A literal translation of "gradually" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "次第に"
天気が悪くなり、次第に雨が降り始めた。
The weather got worse, and it gradually started to rain.
Bilingual Context for "ぼつぼつ"
雨がぼつぼつ降り始めた。
It started raining little by little.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "天気が悪くなり、 ＿＿＿ 雨が降り始めた。" (Meaning: "The weather got worse, and it gradually started to rain.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "次第に" fits here because it means "gradually, by degrees" in the context of: "The weather got worse, and it gradually started to rain.". "ぼつぼつ" represents "gradually, little by little; pimples, spots".