逐渐 和 逐步
gradually: 逐渐 for change that happens by itself, 逐步 for change carried out step by step
Structure
逐渐 自然发生的变化 · 逐步 有计划的行动
What it means
Both mean “gradually”. 逐渐 is for change that happens by itself; 逐步 is for a plan carried out in deliberate stages.
How it is built
逐渐 + change: 天气逐渐暖和起来 (the weather is slowly warming up). 逐步 + action verb: 学校打算逐步减少作业 (the school plans to cut homework in stages).
When to use it
逐渐 suits weather, habits, feelings and trends (逐渐习惯, 逐渐形成, 逐渐变淡). 逐步 goes with action verbs such as 推广, 实现, 解决, 改革 and is common in official language.
Watch out
✗ 天气逐步暖和了。 ✓ 天气逐渐暖和了。 Nobody is steering the weather. Ask: is someone carrying out a plan? If yes, 逐步; if not, 逐渐.
Examples
后来娱乐方式逐渐多了，春晚不再是唯一的选择。
Later, as ways to be entertained multiplied, the Gala stopped being the only choice.
天气逐渐暖和起来，公园里的人也多了。
As the weather slowly warms up, there are more people in the park.
学校打算逐步减少学生的作业。
The school plans to cut students’ homework in stages.
Learn this in Lesson 40 · HSK 5–6: 今天怎么过年 (The New Year today)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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