Time adverbs: 渐渐/逐渐/及时/立刻
渐渐 (gradually), 逐渐 (step by step), 及时 (in time) and 立刻 (immediately) are four time adverbs that sit before the verb and describe how or when something happens. The first two are about slow change, the last two about timing.
In English
These four adverbs all talk about time but answer different questions. 渐渐 and 逐渐 both mean 'gradually', and they describe a change that happens a little at a time. 渐渐 is more spoken and 逐渐 is more written.
及时 means 'in time': the action happens before it is too late. 立刻 means 'at once' and says there is no delay at all. Do not use 渐渐 or 逐渐 with a quick single action.
| 副词 | 读音 | 意思 | 语体 | 要点 |
|------|------|------|------|------|
| 渐渐 | jiàn jiàn | gradually | 口/书 | 自然变化，偏口语 |
| 逐渐 | zhú jiàn | gradually | 书面 | 系统进展，偏书面 |
| 及时 | jí shí | in time / timely | 两者 | 在问题变大前完成 |
| 立刻 | lì kè | immediately | 两者 | 没有任何延迟 |
渐渐 vs 逐渐: 意思基本相同；渐渐更口语化，逐渐更正式。
及时 vs 立刻: 及时 = done before it was too late; 立刻 = without any delay at all.
✅ 天气渐渐暖了。(Natural change)
✅ 逐渐适应了新环境。(Systematic adaptation)
✅ 你及时通知了我，谢谢。(Before too late)
✅ 他立刻跑了过来。(No delay at all)
Worked examples
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 搬到南方以后，她渐渐习惯了那里潮湿的气候。 | Bān dào nán fāng yǐ hòu, tā jiàn jiàn xí guàn le nà lǐ cháo shī de qì hòu. | After moving to the south, she gradually got used to the humid climate there. | 渐渐 (gradually) — describes a natural, organic process of adaptation; colloquial register |
| 随着练习增加，她的发音逐渐变得标准起来。 | Suí zhe liàn xí zēng jiā, tā de fā yīn zhú jiàn biàn de biāo zhǔn qǐ lái. | As practice increased, her pronunciation gradually became standard. | 逐渐 (gradually) — formal register; common in written Chinese and paired with 随着 |
| 他及时发现了电脑的问题，没有造成更大的损失。 | Tā jí shí fā xiàn le diàn nǎo de wèn tí, méi yǒu zào chéng gèng dà de sǔn shī. | He discovered the computer problem in time, preventing greater losses. | 及时 (timely) — action completed before consequences got worse; different from 立刻 (no delay) |
Word by word
Each word in this pattern on its own: what it does here, the structure, three more examples, and the mistake to avoid.
渐渐 (jiàn jiàn)
Gradually, for a change that happens little by little and feels natural, mostly in speech.
Structure: subject + 渐渐 + changing verb or adjective
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 天黑了，街上的人渐渐少了。 | Tiān hēi le, jiē shang de rén jiàn jiàn shǎo le. | It got dark and the street slowly emptied. |
| 过了几个月，我渐渐习惯了这里的生活。 | Guò le jǐ ge yuè, wǒ jiàn jiàn xí guàn le zhè lǐ de shēng huó. | After a few months I gradually got used to life here. |
| 雨渐渐小了。 | Yǔ jiàn jiàn xiǎo le. | The rain is slowly getting lighter. |
Not: 他渐渐跑进了教室。 渐渐 describes slow change, not a quick single action like running in.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 5, adverbs (时间副词).
逐渐 (zhú jiàn)
Gradually, in a more written and step by step sense.
Structure: subject + 逐渐 + changing verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 经过治疗，他的身体逐渐恢复了。 | Jīng guò zhì liáo, tā de shēn tǐ zhú jiàn huī fù le. | After treatment his health gradually recovered. |
| 公司的规模逐渐扩大。 | Gōng sī de guī mó zhú jiàn kuò dà. | The company is gradually growing. |
| 孩子逐渐学会了自己吃饭。 | Hái zi zhú jiàn xué huì le zì jǐ chī fàn. | The child gradually learned to eat alone. |
Not: 他逐渐关上了门。 逐渐 needs a process with stages, and closing a door is one quick act.
及时 (jí shí)
In time, meaning the action is done before it is too late.
Structure: 及时 + verb; verb + 得 + 很及时
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 幸好医生来得很及时。 | Xìng hǎo yī shēng lái de hěn jí shí. | Luckily the doctor came just in time. |
| 请及时把作业交给老师。 | Qǐng jí shí bǎ zuò yè jiāo gěi lǎo shī. | Please hand your homework to the teacher on time. |
| 他及时赶到了车站，没有误车。 | Tā jí shí gǎn dào le chē zhàn, méi yǒu wù chē. | He reached the station in time and did not miss the bus. |
Not: 老师叫你，你及时过去。 及时 means in time, not at once; say 立刻 for 'right away'.
立刻 (lì kè)
Immediately, with no delay at all.
Structure: subject + 立刻 + verb
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 听到电话响，他立刻跑过去。 | Tīng dào diàn huà xiǎng, tā lì kè pǎo guò qù. | Hearing the phone ring, he ran over at once. |
| 如果不舒服，请立刻告诉我。 | Rú guǒ bù shū fu, qǐng lì kè gào su wǒ. | If you feel unwell, tell me right away. |
| 她一看到我就立刻笑了。 | Tā yí kàn dào wǒ jiù lì kè xiào le. | The moment she saw me she smiled. |
Not: 他立刻慢慢地走了。 立刻 means no delay, so it clashes with 慢慢地.
In the official HSK 3.0 grammar outline: level 5, adverbs (时间副词).
立刻 is also explained in: Time Adverbs: 本来, 才, 曾经, 从来, 立刻 (HSK 3).
Compared side by side: 及时 vs 立刻 · 渐渐 vs 逐渐.
What you need first
Every topic in GraphChinese names its own prerequisites, and these are the grammar points this one is built on. If a sentence here will not parse, one of them is why.
The same pattern at other levels
- Time Adverbs — HSK 2
- Time Adverbs — HSK 3
- Time Adverbs — HSK 5
Questions about Time adverbs
What does 时间副词细分 (Time adverbs) mean in Chinese?
渐渐 (gradually), 逐渐 (step by step), 及时 (in time) and 立刻 (immediately) are four time adverbs that sit before the verb and describe how or when something happens. The first two are about slow change, the last two about timing. It is an HSK 4 grammar point.
How do you use 时间副词细分 (Time adverbs) in a sentence?
搬到南方以后，她渐渐习惯了那里潮湿的气候。 — Bān dào nán fāng yǐ hòu, tā jiàn jiàn xí guàn le nà lǐ cháo shī de qì hòu. — After moving to the south, she gradually got used to the humid climate there. 渐渐 (gradually) — describes a natural, organic process of adaptation; colloquial register.
What do you need to know before 时间副词细分 (Time adverbs)?
Time Adverbs (HSK 3). This pattern is built out of them, so a sentence here that will not parse usually means one of them has not landed yet.
What is the difference between 渐渐 and 逐渐?
Both mean 'gradually'. 渐渐 is more everyday, as in 天渐渐亮了, and 逐渐 sounds more written, as in 逐渐提高.
What is the difference between 及时 and 立刻?
立刻 means at once. 及时 means before it is too late, so 他及时到了 says he made it, not that he rushed.
Time adverbs is one topic of 829. GraphChinese teaches them in prerequisite order, so this pattern reaches you on the day everything it rests on is proven. The whole course, HSK 0 through HSK 6, is $49 once for lifetime access.
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