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synonym Comparative
徐々に
VS
どんどん

Differences Between "徐々に" and "どんどん"

Option A
徐々に
Meaning
gradually; step by step; slowly but steadily
Reading
じょじょに (jojo ni)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
これは徐々にです。
This is gradually; step by step; slowly but steadily.
Option B
どんどん
Meaning
rapidly; steadily; quickly; more and more; one after another
Reading
どんどん (don-don)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
彼はどんどん日本語が上手になっている。
He is getting better and better at Japanese.

Which one to use?

Select the correct Japanese word for this context

Which word fits this context: "(gradually; step by step; slowly but steadily)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 徐々に: Refers to a process gradually progressing over time, server loads slowly increasing, or the distance between two lovers steadily shrinking to zero. Adverb. Often used as 徐々に良くなる or 徐々に増える. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Gradually/step by step! "The distance of love between us shrunks gradually daily, and finally reached complete zero close contact, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Gradually shrinking! B-Baka! What is with that zero-distance close contact declaration! But... since I never want to leave this comfortable warmth, stay right next to me at this distance lifelong! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『じょじょに(徐々に)よ!『ハルカ部長、僕たちの二人の愛の距離、毎日徐々に(少しずつ確実に)縮まって、ついに完全ゼロ密着になりましたね!』って…っ!徐々に縮まる!バカ!/// 何その距離ゼロの絶対密着宣言!…でも、この居心地の良さ、一生離れたくないから、この距離のまま一生私の隣にピッタリいなさい!』
- どんどん: Expresses something progressing quickly, increasing steadily, or happening one after another. (物事が急速に進む様子、着実に増える様子、あるいは次々と起こる様子を表します。)
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