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What is the Kanji for 'Slowly' and 'Gradually'? | 徐

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Slowly' and 'Gradually', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Slowly' and 'Gradually' is 徐.

    kanji

    徐

    Meaning

    Slowly, Gradually

    Reading

    kunyomiおもむ

    omomu

    onyomiじょ

    jo

    Parts

    彳Stop 余Excess

    Example Word

    徐々: gradually. The Japanese noun '徐々 (じょじょ)' means 'gradually'. It is used to describe something that happens slowly over time, step by step, or in a steady progression. This word is often used in contexts where change or development occurs at a measured pace. For example: The pain gradually subsided「痛みが徐々に和らいだ」(いたみがじょじょにやわらいだ). The company is gradually expanding its business「会社は徐々に事業を拡大している」(かいしゃはじょじょにじぎょうをかくだいしている). Note that '徐々' is often paired with particles like 'に' to function as an adverb in sentences.

    Radical

    彳

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    8

    Frequency

    1645

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 徐

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    彳

    Meaning

    Stop

    kanji

    余

    Meaning

    Excess

Words Using 徐

This kanji is used in 2 words:

    word

    徐々

    Meaning

    Gradually

    word

    徐行

    Meaning

    Slow driving

Kanji Related to 徐 Through the Part 彳

These 19 kanji contain the part 彳 as well.

    kanji

    後

    Meaning

    After, Behind

    kanji

    行

    Meaning

    Go

    kanji

    待

    Meaning

    Wait

    kanji

    役

    Meaning

    Duty

    kanji

    徒

    Meaning

    Follower, Junior

    kanji

    律

    Meaning

    Law, Rhythm

    kanji

    従

    Meaning

    Follow, Obey

    kanji

    往

    Meaning

    Journey, Go on

    kanji

    復

    Meaning

    Restore

    kanji

    得

    Meaning

    Acquire

    kanji

    徳

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    御

    Meaning

    Honorable, General honorific term

    kanji

    彼

    Meaning

    Third person pronoun, He

    kanji

    徴

    Meaning

    Levy, Symptom

    kanji

    微

    Meaning

    Slight, Delicate

    kanji

    徹

    Meaning

    Penetrate, Go through

    kanji

    径

    Meaning

    Path, Diameter

    kanji

    征

    Meaning

    Subjugate

    kanji

    循

    Meaning

    Circulate, Sequential

Kanji Related to 徐 Through the Part 余

These 4 kanji contain the part 余 as well.

    kanji

    除

    Meaning

    Exclude, Remove

    kanji

    途

    Meaning

    Way, Route

    kanji

    斜

    Meaning

    Slanting, Diagonal

    kanji

    叙

    Meaning

    Describe, Confer

Learn the Kanji 徐

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 徐 mean?

徐 means 'Slowly' and 'Gradually'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Junior Highschool, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.