▎漸漸, jiànjiàn, (Adv), gradually, slowly

 

Function The adverb 漸漸 defines the gradual completion of a process.

1 這裡以前種族歧視的情況非常嚴重。現在這種現象可說已漸漸走入歷史了。

Zhèlǐ yǐqián zhǒngzú qíshì de qíngkuàng fēicháng yánzhòng. Xiànzài zhè zhǒng xiànxiàng kě shuō yǐ jiànjiàn zǒurù lìshǐ le.

Racism used to be a serious problem here, but that is slowly becoming history.

2 現在跨國企業的合作已漸漸成為一種趨勢了。

Xiànzài kuàguó qǐyè de hézuò yǐ jiànjiàn chéngwéi yì zhǒng qūshì le.

Cooperation between MNCs has become an emerging trend.

3 我回國後，因為工作忙碌，很少有機會跟那個組織聯絡，就漸漸失去了交流的機會。

Wǒ huíguó hòu, yīnwèi gōngzuò mánglù, hěn shǎo yǒu jīhuì gēn nà ge zǔzhī liánluò, jiù jiànjiàn shīqùle jiāoliú de jīhuì.

After coming back to my home country I became so busy with work that I stopped contacting that organization. Eventually exchange opportunities were forfeited.

4 台灣的生育率創下了歷史新低的紀錄，將來生產力會漸漸不足。

Táiwān de shēngyùlǜ chuàngxiàle lìshǐ xīn dī de jìlù, jiānglái shēngchǎnlì huì jiànjiàn bùzú.

The birth rate in Taiwan has set a record low, in the future productivity will dwindle.

5 透過大量地練習，他的口音已漸漸改善。

Tòuguo dàliàng de liànxí, tā de kǒuyīn yǐ jiànjiàn gǎishàn.

After extensive practice, his accent has slowly improved.

 

Usage 漸漸 is not a reduplicated form because ＊漸 does not exist. 漸漸 often combines with the adverb marker 地 and must do so if it precedes the subject. In this case 漸漸地 is also followed by a short pause. E.g.,

漸漸地，我越來越了解他了。

Jiànjiàn de, wǒ yuèláiyuè liǎojiě tā le.

I’m gradually getting to understand him.