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adjective / verb HSK 5
Traditional 漸進
jiàn jìn
gradual · progressive · to advance gradually

Meaning

渐进 describes a process that happens step-by-step or gradually over time, rather than suddenly or all at once. It emphasizes steady, incremental progress or change, often used in contexts of reform, development, or learning.

Usage

Commonly used in formal or written contexts, especially in academic, political, or technical discussions. Often appears in compounds like 渐进式 (gradual type/style) or 循序渐进 (to proceed step by step in proper order). Native speakers use it to describe methodical approaches to change or improvement.

Examples

  1. 01
    学习语言是一个循序渐进的过程。
    Xué xí yǔ yán shì yī gè xún xù jiàn jìn de guò chéng.
    Learning a language is a gradual, step-by-step process.
  2. 02
    经济改革应该采取渐进的方式，不能操之过急。
    Jīng jì gǎi gé yīng gāi cǎi qǔ jiàn jìn de fāng shì, bù néng cāo zhī guò jí.
    Economic reform should adopt a gradual approach and not be too hasty.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 渐进式改革
    jiàn jìn shì gǎi gé
    gradual reform
  • 渐进过程
    jiàn jìn guò chéng
    gradual process
  • 循序渐进
    xún xù jiàn jìn
    to proceed in an orderly way and step by step

Antonyms

Origin

渐 originally meant water gradually soaking in, and 进 means to advance. Together they convey the idea of advancing gradually or step-by-step progress.

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