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B1 adverb 8 دقيقة للقراءة

به تدریج

be tadrij

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح به تدریج في 30 ثانية

الشرح به تدریج in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of به تدریج as a fancy way to say 'slowly' or 'little by little'. In English, when you learn your first words, you say things happen 'step by step'. In Persian, we often use 'کم‌کم' (kam-kam) first because it's easier to say. However, if you see 'به تدریج' in a book, just remember it means something is not happening fast. For example, if you are learning Persian, you are learning it 'be tadrij' (gradually). It's a combination of 'be' (meaning 'by' or 'in') and 'tadrij' (meaning 'steps'). Even if you don't use it in your own speaking yet, recognizing it will help you understand more formal sentences. Imagine a turtle walking; that is the speed of 'be tadrij'. It is the opposite of 'nagahan' (suddenly). To remember it, think of 'tadrij' sounding a bit like 'degree'—moving by degrees.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the A2 level, you are starting to move beyond basic survival Persian. You should begin to recognize به تدریج in simple news headlines or children's stories that describe nature. While you might still prefer 'آرام آرام' or 'کم‌کم' in your own speech, 'به تدریج' is a great word to add to your 'passive vocabulary'. You will notice it's used with verbs like 'شدن' (to become) or 'آمدن' (to come). For example, 'هوا به تدریج سرد شد' (The weather gradually became cold). Notice how the word stays the same; it doesn't change if you're talking about a boy, a girl, or a group of people. It is a stable adverb. Try to use it once or twice in your writing assignments to show your teacher that you are learning more formal vocabulary. It makes your sentences sound more 'adult' and serious.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

As a B1 learner, به تدریج is a core word for your active vocabulary. You are now expected to discuss more complex topics like your career, the environment, or social changes. This word is perfect for those topics. It allows you to describe processes without sounding too colloquial. For instance, instead of saying 'من کم‌کم فارسی یاد می‌گیرم', you can say 'من به تدریج در حال یادگیری زبان فارسی هستم'. This sounds much more professional. You should also start noticing the difference between this adverb and the adjective 'تدریجی'. Remember: 'به تدریج' modifies the verb (the action), while 'تدریجی' modifies the noun (the thing). At this level, you should be able to use it comfortably in both written essays and formal speaking situations, such as a presentation or a job interview. It shows a high level of control over the Persian register.

At the B2 level, you should be exploring the nuances of به تدریج compared to its synonyms like 'رفته‌رفته' or 'به مرور زمان'. You should understand that 'به تدریج' is the preferred choice in scientific, medical, and political contexts. For example, when discussing climate change or economic shifts, 'به تدریج' provides the necessary precision. You can also use it to describe psychological shifts in characters when analyzing Persian literature. At this stage, you should also be familiar with its placement in more complex sentence structures, such as within subordinate clauses or alongside modal verbs. For instance, 'باید به تدریج عادت‌های بد را کنار گذاشت' (One must gradually set aside bad habits). Your ability to use this word correctly in varied contexts is a hallmark of upper-intermediate proficiency. It signals that you are comfortable with the 'literary' (کتابی) style of Persian.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

For C1 learners, به تدریج is a tool for stylistic precision. You should be able to use it to create specific rhythms in your writing. Because it is a three-syllable word (be-tad-rij), it has a certain weight that can be used to slow down the pace of a sentence. You should also explore its use in classical and modern poetry, where it might be used to reflect on the nature of time and existence. At this level, you should also be aware of its Arabic roots and how it relates to other words like 'درجه' (degree) or 'تدریجاً' (gradually - the Arabic adverbial form). You can compare it with 'اندک اندک' in Rumi's Masnavi to discuss how the meaning of 'gradualness' has evolved or stayed the same in Persian thought. Your usage should be flawless, and you should be able to explain to lower-level students why 'به تدریج' is better than 'کم‌کم' in a legal or academic document.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, you have mastered the word به تدریج and use it with the same ease as a native university professor or a high-level diplomat. You understand its role in the 'Grand Style' of Persian rhetoric. You can use it in highly abstract philosophical discussions about the 'gradualness of being' or the 'gradual evolution of consciousness'. You are also sensitive to its phonological qualities—how the 'j' sound at the end provides a definitive stop to the 'tadrij', mirroring the completion of a step. You can effortlessly switch between 'به تدریج', 'به مرور', 'رفته‌رفته', and 'اندک‌اندک' to achieve specific rhetorical effects or to avoid repetition in a long thesis. You might even use it in a slightly ironic or meta-linguistic way. To you, this word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a fundamental concept through which you can analyze and describe the world in Persian.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

به تدریج في 30 ثانية

An adverb meaning 'gradually' or 'little by little' used in formal Persian contexts.
Derived from the Arabic root for 'steps' or 'degrees', implying a sequential process.
Commonly paired with verbs of change like 'become', 'increase', or 'learn'.
A more sophisticated alternative to the colloquial 'kam-kam' or 'aram aram'.

The Persian term به تدریج (pronounced 'be tadrij') is a sophisticated and essential adverb in the Persian language, primarily used to describe actions or changes that occur slowly, step-by-step, or in a measured sequence over time. It is the direct equivalent of the English 'gradually' or 'little by little'. Linguistically, it is composed of the preposition 'به' (to/by) and the noun 'تدریج' (gradualness/progression), which originates from the Arabic root 'D-R-J' (د-ر-ج), relating to steps or degrees. While everyday Persian speakers might frequently use the more colloquial کم‌کم (kam-kam) or آرام آرام (aram aram), به تدریج provides a more formal, precise, and academic tone, making it indispensable for B1 learners and above who wish to elevate their register from basic conversational Persian to more professional or literary levels.

Conceptual Nuance: Unlike 'suddenly' (ناگهان), this word implies a process. It suggests that there is a starting point and an ending point, and the transition between them involves a series of infinitesimal shifts. It is often used in scientific contexts (e.g., evolution, chemical reactions), economic discussions (e.g., inflation, market growth), and personal development (e.g., learning a language, recovering from an illness).
Syntactic Function: In a sentence, it typically functions as a sentence adverb or a manner adverb. It can appear at the very beginning of a sentence to set the temporal stage, or more commonly, right before the verb or the predicate it modifies. Because it is a compound adverb, it maintains its form regardless of the subject's gender or number.

"وضعیت بیمار به تدریج رو به بهبودی است."

Translation: The patient's condition is gradually improving.

When you use به تدریج, you are signaling to your listener that the change you are describing is not a shock or a sudden rupture, but a natural, perhaps even inevitable, progression. It is the language of growth, erosion, aging, and learning. In modern Iranian media, you will hear it used by meteorologists describing a gradual change in weather, by economists discussing the slow implementation of laws, and by historians explaining the decline or rise of empires. Mastery of this word allows you to describe the 'how' of time with a level of sophistication that 'fast' or 'slow' simply cannot capture.

Grammatical Register: This word is primarily found in the written register (کتابی). In the spoken register (محاوره‌ای), while understood, it is often replaced by 'kam-kam' (کم‌کم). However, in a formal speech, a news broadcast, or a university lecture, 'be tadrij' is the standard choice. It carries a weight of authority and precision.

"یخچال‌های طبیعی به تدریج در حال ذوب شدن هستند."

Translation: The glaciers are gradually melting.

Using به تدریج correctly involves understanding its placement and the types of verbs it usually accompanies. Since it denotes a process, it is almost exclusively paired with verbs of change, movement, or evolution. You wouldn't use it with a static verb like 'to be' in a simple sense (e.g., 'he is gradually tall' is incorrect in both English and Persian), but you would use it with 'to become' (شدن), 'to change' (تغییر کردن), or 'to increase/decrease' (افزایش/کاهش یافتن).

Standard Placement: In standard Persian SOV (Subject-Object-Verb) structure, the adverb usually sits between the subject and the verb. If there is a direct object, به تدریج can come before or after the object, though placing it closer to the verb often feels more natural in descriptive writing.
With Compound Verbs: Persian is rich in compound verbs (e.g., یاد گرفتن - to learn). When using به تدریج, it usually precedes the entire compound unit. Example: 'او به تدریج زبان را یاد گرفت' (He gradually learned the language).

"خورشید به تدریج از پشت کوه‌ها پدیدار شد."

Translation: The sun gradually appeared from behind the mountains.

Another advanced use of به تدریج is in scientific or legal writing where it acts as a qualifier for systemic shifts. For example, in a sentence like 'The law will be implemented gradually', Persian would use 'این قانون به تدریج اجرا خواهد شد'. Note how the adverb provides a buffer, suggesting a transition period. This is crucial in diplomatic and administrative Persian.

Emphasis: To add emphasis, speakers sometimes repeat the concept or use synonyms in tandem, though 'به تدریج' is usually strong enough on its own. In poetry, you might see 'اندک اندک و به تدریج' to emphasize the painstaking slowness of a process.

"مهارت‌های او به تدریج با تمرین زیاد شکوفا شد."

Translation: Her skills gradually flourished with much practice.

Understanding the context in which به تدریج appears is key to sounding like a native speaker. While you might not hear it shouted in a busy bazaar (where 'kam-kam' dominates), you will find it in every corner of intellectual, administrative, and artistic Iranian life. It is a word of the 'educated' register, used by those who wish to speak with precision and poise.

The News and Media: Turn on the IRIB news or read an article on Shargh Daily. You will see 'به تدریج' used to describe the easing of sanctions, the cooling of temperatures in autumn, or the slow rise of the stock market. It is the backbone of objective reporting.
Academic Lectures: In university settings in Tehran or Shiraz, professors use this word to describe historical transformations. 'Islam spread gradually in the Iranian plateau' would be 'اسلام به تدریج در فلات ایران گسترش یافت'. It sounds far more scholarly than 'kam-kam'.

"تکنولوژی جدید به تدریج جایگزین روش‌های قدیمی می‌شود."

Literary and Poetic Contexts: In modern Persian literature (like the works of Sadegh Hedayat or Simin Daneshvar), 'به تدریج' is used to describe the slow psychological unraveling of characters or the creeping change in a city's atmosphere. It allows for a cinematic building of tension.

"اعتماد در یک رابطه به تدریج شکل می‌گیرد."

Finally, in self-help and psychological discourse in Iran—which is a booming industry—you will hear therapists talk about 'به تدریج' when discussing healing from trauma or changing habits. It emphasizes that change is a journey, not a destination. Whether you are listening to a podcast on 'Shenaseh' or watching a documentary on 'Manoto', this word will be your constant companion in understanding complex processes.

Even advanced learners can stumble when using به تدریج. The most common errors usually stem from register confusion or grammatical misapplication. Here are the pitfalls to avoid to keep your Persian sounding natural and accurate.

Mistake 1: Register Mismatch: Using 'به تدریج' in a very casual, slang-heavy conversation with friends can sound slightly 'robotic' or overly formal. If you're telling a friend that you're slowly finishing your tea, use 'kam-kam' (کم‌کم). Save 'به تدریج' for when you're discussing your career goals or a complex project.
Mistake 2: Confusing Adverb with Adjective: As mentioned before, 'به تدریج' is an adverb. A common mistake is saying something like 'تغییر به تدریج' (the gradually change) instead of 'تغییر تدریجی' (the gradual change). Adverbs modify verbs; adjectives modify nouns. Always check if you are describing an action or a thing.

Incorrect: "این یک فرآیند به تدریج است." (This is a gradually process.)
Correct: "این یک فرآیند تدریجی است." (This is a gradual process.)

Mistake 3: Redundancy: Avoid pairing it with other adverbs that mean the exact same thing unless for poetic effect. For instance, 'به تدریج و آرام آرام' is often redundant in standard prose. Pick one and stick to it to keep your sentences lean and professional.

"جمعیت شهر به تدریج افزایش یافت." (The city's population gradually increased.)

Finally, remember that 'به تدریج' implies a continuous process. Don't use it for things that happen in discrete, large jumps. If a price doubles overnight, 'به تدریج' is factually incorrect. It must be a 'slope', not a 'staircase'.

Persian is famous for its synonyms, each carrying a slightly different emotional or formal weight. Knowing the alternatives to به تدریج will help you navigate different social and literary situations with ease.

کم‌کم (Kam-kam): The most common spoken alternative. It is friendly, informal, and used in 90% of daily conversations. 'کم‌کم باران بند آمد' (Little by little, the rain stopped).
آرام آرام (Aram aram): This emphasizes the 'quietness' or 'gentleness' of the process. While 'به تدریج' is neutral, 'آرام آرام' suggests a peaceful or non-disruptive transition. Often used in romantic or nature-focused contexts.
رفته‌رفته (Rafte-rafte): Literal meaning: 'having gone, having gone'. It implies a sense of time passing. It's very common in storytelling. 'رفته‌رفته هوا سرد شد' (As time went on/gradually, the weather got cold).

"گام به گام تا موفقیت." (Step by step to success.)

اندک اندک (Andak andak): A more literary and poetic version. You'll find this in Rumi's poetry. It sounds very elegant and slightly archaic. Use it if you want to sound like a poet or a philosopher.
پله‌پله (Pelle-pelle): Literal: 'stair by stair'. This is used when the process has very distinct, identifiable stages. It's less 'smooth' than 'به تدریج' and more 'procedural'.

In summary, choose به تدریج for formal writing and news, کم‌کم for talking to friends, and رفته‌رفته when telling a story about how things changed over time. Each one adds a specific flavor to your Persian.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

The English word 'degree' and the Persian/Arabic word 'darajeh' (درجه) share a semantic connection through the concept of 'steps', although they belong to different language families.

دليل النطق

UK /be tæd.riːdʒ/

US /be tæd.ridʒ/

The primary stress is on the second syllable of the noun: 'tad-RIJ'. The prefix 'be' is unstressed.

يتقافى مع

خلیج (khalij - gulf) بسیج (basij - mobilization) گیج (gij - dizzy) هویج (havij - carrot) تریج (tarij - edge) آویج (avij - pendant) تیج (tij - sharp) مارپیچ (marpich - spiral)

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'tadrij' as 'tadridge' with a very hard English 'g'.
Stress on the first syllable 'BE-tadrij' which sounds unnatural.
Merging the two words into one without a slight pause: 'betadrij'.
Mispronouncing the 'a' in 'tad' as 'ah' (tah-drij) instead of 'æ'.
Shortening the 'ee' sound in 'rij'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 3/5

Easy to recognize in texts once the 'be' prefix is understood.

الكتابة 4/5

Requires knowledge of when to use it versus the adjective form 'tadriji'.

التحدث 4/5

Native-like usage requires mastering the formal register.

الاستماع 3/5

Clearly pronounced in formal broadcasts.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

آرام کم شدن تغییر زمان

تعلّم لاحقاً

به مرور تکامل فرآیند توالی منسجم

متقدم

استدراج تدرج متدرج مدارج درجه

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Adverb Placement

Adverbs like 'به تدریج' usually come before the verb.

Compound Adverbs

'به' + [Noun] is a common way to form adverbs in Persian.

Adverb vs Adjective

Use 'به تدریج' for verbs and 'تدریجی' for nouns.

Use 'به تدریج' in writing and 'کم‌کم' in speech.

Tanwin Adverbs

'تدریجاً' is the Arabic-style equivalent used in very formal texts.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

من به تدریج فارسی یاد می‌گیرم.

I am gradually learning Persian.

Simple present tense with the adverb 'به تدریج' before the verb.

گیاه به تدریج رشد می‌کند.

The plant grows gradually.

Subject + Adverb + Verb structure.

هوا به تدریج گرم می‌شود.

The weather is gradually getting warm.

Use of 'شدن' (to become) which is a common partner for this word.

او به تدریج راه می‌رود.

He walks gradually (step by step).

Describing the manner of walking.

کتاب به تدریج تمام شد.

The book was gradually finished.

Past tense usage.

باران به تدریج قطع شد.

The rain gradually stopped.

Describing a natural process.

ما به تدریج غذا خوردیم.

We ate gradually (slowly).

Plural subject.

او به تدریج بیدار شد.

He woke up gradually.

Focus on the transition from sleep to wakefulness.

او به تدریج با محیط جدید آشنا شد.

He gradually became familiar with the new environment.

Compound verb 'آشنا شدن'.

قیمت‌ها به تدریج بالا رفتند.

Prices gradually went up.

Plural verb agreeing with 'قیمت‌ها'.

برف‌ها به تدریج ذوب می‌شوند.

The snow is gradually melting.

Present continuous sense.

او به تدریج ترسش را کنار گذاشت.

He gradually set aside his fear.

Object 'ترسش' precedes the verb.

رنگ دیوار به تدریج تغییر کرد.

The color of the wall gradually changed.

Subject is 'رنگ دیوار'.

بچه‌ها به تدریج بزرگ می‌شوند.

Children grow up gradually.

General truth statement.

او به تدریج به زندگی در تهران عادت کرد.

She gradually got used to living in Tehran.

Preposition 'به' used twice with different functions.

نور چراغ به تدریج کم شد.

The light of the lamp gradually dimmed.

Describing a sensory change.

اقتصاد کشور به تدریج در حال بهبود است.

The country's economy is gradually improving.

Progressive tense 'در حال بهبود است'.

او به تدریج توانست اعتماد به نفس خود را بازیابد.

He was gradually able to regain his self-confidence.

Use of the modal 'توانست' (was able to).

تکنولوژی به تدریج سبک زندگی ما را تغییر داده است.

Technology has gradually changed our lifestyle.

Present perfect tense 'تغییر داده است'.

ما باید به تدریج مصرف پلاستیک را کاهش دهیم.

We must gradually reduce plastic consumption.

Subjunctive mood 'کاهش دهیم' after 'باید'.

رابطه آن‌ها به تدریج به سردی گرایید.

Their relationship gradually turned cold.

Literary verb 'گراییدن' (to tend towards).

آلودگی هوا به تدریج به یک بحران تبدیل شد.

Air pollution gradually turned into a crisis.

Compound verb 'تبدیل شدن'.

او به تدریج متوجه اشتباهات خود شد.

He gradually realized his mistakes.

Mental process verb 'متوجه شدن'.

این داروها به تدریج اثر می‌کنند.

These medicines work gradually.

General medical context.

نظریه تکامل توضیح می‌دهد که چگونه گونه‌ها به تدریج تغییر می‌کنند.

The theory of evolution explains how species gradually change.

Scientific register.

دولت قصد دارد یارانه‌ها را به تدریج حذف کند.

The government intends to gradually eliminate subsidies.

Policy/Administrative context.

او به تدریج به یکی از چهره‌های برجسته هنر تبدیل گشت.

He gradually became one of the prominent figures in art.

Use of 'گشتن' instead of 'شدن' for higher register.

تاثیرات این قانون به تدریج در جامعه مشاهده خواهد شد.

The effects of this law will gradually be observed in society.

Future passive 'مشاهده خواهد شد'.

نویسنده به تدریج فضای داستان را تاریک‌تر می‌کند.

The author gradually makes the atmosphere of the story darker.

Literary analysis context.

شکاف بین طبقات جامعه به تدریج عمیق‌تر می‌شود.

The gap between social classes is gradually deepening.

Sociological context.

او به تدریج آموخت که چگونه با مشکلات زندگی کنار بیاید.

He gradually learned how to cope with life's problems.

Compound verb 'کنار آمدن'.

آداب و رسوم قدیمی به تدریج در حال فراموشی هستند.

Old customs are gradually being forgotten.

Cultural loss context.

ساختار سیاسی کشور به تدریج دچار تحولات بنیادین گشت.

The country's political structure gradually underwent fundamental changes.

High-level political vocabulary 'تحولات بنیادین'.

معماری این بنا به تدریج در طول قرن‌ها شکل گرفته است.

The architecture of this building has gradually taken shape over centuries.

Historical/Artistic register.

او به تدریج از آرمان‌های جوانی خود فاصله گرفت.

He gradually distanced himself from the ideals of his youth.

Abstract/Philosophical context.

زبان‌های باستانی به تدریج جای خود را به زبان‌های نو دادند.

Ancient languages gradually gave way to new languages.

Linguistic evolution context.

این ایده به تدریج در ذهن او نضج یافت.

This idea gradually matured in his mind.

Literary verb 'نضج یافتن' (to ripen/mature).

تنش‌های مرزی به تدریج به یک جنگ تمام‌عیار تبدیل شد.

Border tensions gradually turned into a full-scale war.

Geopolitical register.

او به تدریج به عمق فاجعه پی برد.

He gradually realized the depth of the tragedy.

Idiomatic phrase 'پی بردن' (to realize/discover).

نفوذ فرهنگ بیگانه به تدریج هویت ملی را تهدید می‌کند.

The influence of foreign culture gradually threatens national identity.

Sociological/Nationalist discourse.

حقیقت به تدریج و از پسِ غبارهای زمان آشکار می‌گردد.

Truth gradually reveals itself from behind the mists of time.

Poetic and philosophical register.

نظام‌های استبدادی به تدریج مشروعیت خود را در نزد توده‌ها از دست می‌دهند.

Authoritarian regimes gradually lose their legitimacy among the masses.

Academic political science terminology.

فرآیند جهانی‌شدن به تدریج مرزهای فرهنگی را کمرنگ ساخته است.

The process of globalization has gradually blurred cultural boundaries.

Modern sociological discourse.

او به تدریج در دریای بیکران عرفان غرق شد.

He was gradually submerged in the infinite sea of mysticism.

Mystical/Sufi context.

تغییرات اقلیمی به تدریج زیست‌بوم‌های حساس را به نابودی می‌کشاند.

Climate change is gradually leading sensitive ecosystems to destruction.

Environmental science register.

این پارادایم علمی به تدریج جای خود را به نظریات نوین خواهد داد.

This scientific paradigm will gradually give its place to modern theories.

Epistemological context.

روح انسانی به تدریج از قید و بندهای مادی رها می‌شود.

The human soul is gradually liberated from material constraints.

Metaphysical register.

انحطاط اخلاقی به تدریج پایه‌های تمدن را سست می‌کند.

Moral decay gradually weakens the foundations of civilization.

Historical/Ethical discourse.

تلازمات شائعة

به تدریج افزایش یافتن

به تدریج کاهش یافتن

به تدریج تغییر کردن

به تدریج شکل گرفتن

به تدریج بهبود یافتن

به تدریج آشنا شدن

به تدریج متوجه شدن

به تدریج نفوذ کردن

به تدریج جایگزین شدن

به تدریج فراموش کردن

العبارات الشائعة

به تدریج و با حوصله

— Doing something gradually and with patience. It's a common piece of advice.

باید به تدریج و با حوصله تمرین کنی.

به تدریج زمان

— Often used incorrectly for 'به مرور زمان', meaning 'as time goes by'.

به تدریج زمان، حقیقت روشن شد.

به تدریج و گام به گام

— Emphasizing the step-by-step nature of a process.

ما به تدریج و گام به گام پیش می‌رویم.

روند به تدریج

— The gradual process or trend.

روند به تدریج تغییرات مثبت بود.

به تدریج از بین رفتن

— To gradually disappear or be destroyed.

آثار تاریخی به تدریج از بین می‌روند.

به تدریج پدیدار شدن

— To gradually appear or manifest.

ستاره‌ها به تدریج پدیدار شدند.

به تدریج عادت کردن

— To gradually get used to something.

به تدریج به این وضعیت عادت می‌کنی.

به تدریج روشن شدن

— To gradually become clear or bright.

هوا به تدریج روشن شد.

به تدریج دور شدن

— To gradually move away or distance oneself.

او به تدریج از دوستانش دور شد.

به تدریج یاد گرفتن

— To learn something gradually over time.

کودک به تدریج زبان باز کرد.

يُخلط عادةً مع

به تدریج vs تدریجی

This is the adjective form. Use it for 'gradual change' (تغییر تدریجی).

به تدریج vs به ترتیب

This means 'in order' or 'respectively'. It sounds similar but means something different.

به تدریج vs به تکرار

This means 'repeatedly'. Don't confuse the 'T' sounds.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"اندک اندک جمع گردد وانگهی دریا شود"

— Little by little it gathers, and eventually it becomes a sea. This is the most famous idiom related to gradualness.

پول‌هایت را پس‌انداز کن؛ اندک اندک جمع گردد وانگهی دریا شود.

Literary/Proverb

"پله‌پله تا ملاقات خدا"

— Step by step until meeting God. Used to describe a spiritual or very long journey.

او در مسیر عرفان، پله‌پله تا ملاقات خدا رفت.

Mystical

"سنگ مفت، گنجشک مفت"

— While not directly using 'be tadrij', it implies trying things gradually since there's no cost. Related to incremental effort.

این کار را امتحان کن؛ سنگ مفت، گنجشک مفت.

Informal

"رهرو آن نیست که گه تند و گهی خسته رود"

— The traveler is not the one who goes sometimes fast and sometimes tired (but the one who goes steadily/gradually).

در مطالعه مداومت داشته باش؛ رهرو آن نیست که گه تند و گهی خسته رود.

Literary

"نرم نرمک"

— Very softly and gradually. Often used in poetry about the arrival of spring.

نرم نرمک می‌رسد اینک بهار.

Poetic

"ذره ذره"

— Atom by atom; very gradually and in tiny amounts.

ذره ذره جانم را برای این کار گذاشتم.

Emotional/Neutral

"یک‌یک"

— One by one. Related to the sequential nature of 'be tadrij'.

مشکلات را یک‌یک حل کردیم.

Neutral

"نم‌نم"

— Used specifically for rain to mean 'gradually and lightly'.

باران نم‌نم می‌بارید.

Neutral

"یواش یواش"

— The colloquial equivalent of 'slowly/gradually'.

یواش یواش بیا جلو.

Informal

"گام‌های استوار"

— Steady steps. Implies a firm, gradual progression.

او با گام‌های استوار به سمت موفقیت رفت.

Formal

سهل الخلط

به تدریج vs کم‌کم

Same meaning.

'Kam-kam' is informal; 'be tadrij' is formal.

کم‌کم بریم؟ (Informal) / به تدریج خارج شدند. (Formal)

به تدریج vs آرام

Both imply 'slow'.

'Aram' means quiet or slow speed; 'be tadrij' means step-by-step process.

آرام صحبت کن. / به تدریج یاد بگیر.

به تدریج vs پله‌پله

Both mean step-by-step.

'Pelle-pelle' is more literal and visual.

پله‌پله بالا رفت.

به تدریج vs به مرور

Same meaning.

'Be morur' specifically emphasizes the passage of time.

به مرور زمان درست می‌شود.

به تدریج vs دفعتاً

It's the opposite.

'Daf'atan' is suddenly; 'be tadrij' is gradually.

او دفعتاً آمد. / او به تدریج آمد.

أنماط الجُمل

من به تدریج [Verb] می‌کنم.

من به تدریج ورزش می‌کنم.

[Subject] به تدریج [Adjective] شد.

هوا به تدریج سرد شد.

ما باید به تدریج [Verb].

ما باید به تدریج مصرف آب را کم کنیم.

[Subject] به تدریج در حال [Noun] است.

اقتصاد به تدریج در حال رشد است.

این فرآیند به تدریج منجر به [Noun] گشت.

این فرآیند به تدریج منجر به انقلاب گشت.

به تدریج و از پسِ [Noun]، [Subject] پدیدار شد.

به تدریج و از پسِ غبار، کوه پدیدار شد.

او به تدریج متوجه [Noun] شد.

او به تدریج متوجه حقیقت شد.

[Noun] به تدریج جای خود را به [Noun] داد.

اسب به تدریج جای خود را به ماشین داد.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

تدریج (gradualness)

درجه (degree)

درجه‌بندی (grading/classification)

مدارج (levels/ranks)

الأفعال

درجه‌بندی کردن (to grade)

تدریج کردن (rare, to proceed gradually)

الصفات

تدریجی (gradual)

درجه‌دار (ranked/officer)

مدرج (graduated/scaled)

مرتبط

گام (step)

مرحله (stage)

روند (process)

پیشرفت (progress)

تکامل (evolution)

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Very high in written Persian, high in formal spoken Persian.

أخطاء شائعة

Using 'به تدریج' with a noun like 'تغییر به تدریج'. → تغییر تدریجی
You need the adjective form 'tadriji' to modify a noun.
Saying 'به تدریج' for a sudden event. → ناگهان
This word only applies to slow, step-by-step processes.
Pronouncing it as 'be tadrig'. → be tadrij
The final letter is 'Jim', which sounds like 'j'.
Using 'به تدریج' in very low-level slang. → کم‌کم
It can sound out of place or pretentious in very informal street talk.
Writing 'با تدریج'. → به تدریج
The standard preposition for this adverbial phrase is 'be'.

نصائح

Writing Essays

Use 'به تدریج' instead of 'کم‌کم' in your writing to immediately boost your score and sound more sophisticated.

The 'J' Sound

Make sure the final 'j' is soft, like in 'juice', not a hard 'g' like in 'game'.

Root Learning

Learning the root D-R-J will help you remember other words like 'darajeh' (degree) and 'tadrij'.

Adjective Check

Always ask: 'Am I describing how it happened or what it is?' Use 'be tadrij' for 'how'.

News Watching

Watch Persian news for 10 minutes; you are almost guaranteed to hear this word used to describe a social or economic trend.

Staircase Image

Whenever you say 'be tadrij', visualize yourself climbing a staircase. One step, one syllable.

Patience

Using this word often implies a sense of patience, which is highly valued in Iranian social interactions.

Business Meetings

This is an excellent word for business meetings when discussing project timelines or market growth.

Poetic Flair

If you want to be extra poetic, use 'اندک اندک', but for general elegance, 'به تدریج' is perfect.

Not 'Order'

Don't confuse it with 'be tartib' (in order). 'Be tadrij' is about speed/process, not sequence of items.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'TRADitional BRIDGE'. Building a traditional bridge takes a long time and you have to do it 'be tadrij' (gradually), one stone at a time.

ربط بصري

Imagine a staircase leading up a mountain into the clouds. Each step is 'tadrij'. You are climbing it 'be tadrij'.

Word Web

Time Steps Slow Evolution Growth Learning Process Continuous

تحدٍّ

Try to describe three things in your life that happened 'be tadrij' (e.g., your career, a friendship, or a skill you learned).

أصل الكلمة

The word is a prepositional phrase consisting of the Persian 'به' and the Arabic loanword 'تدریج'. The Arabic root is D-R-J (د ر ج), which fundamentally relates to moving step by step or ascending/descending levels.

المعنى الأصلي: The original Arabic meaning of 'Tadrīj' is 'bringing something on by degrees' or 'promoting someone step by step'.

Persian (Indo-European) with an Arabic (Semitic) loanword core.

السياق الثقافي

There are no major sensitivities, but avoid using it to describe something that should have been done quickly (it might sound like an excuse for laziness).

English speakers often use 'little by little' in similar contexts, but 'gradually' is the best academic match.

Rumi's poetry often uses the concept of gradual spiritual ascent. The book 'Pelle-Pelle ta Molaghat-e Khoda' by Abdolhossein Zarrinkoub. Modern Iranian environmental documentaries use it to discuss Lake Urmia's drying.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Academic Writing

به تدریج شکل گرفت
به تدریج توسعه یافت
به تدریج تغییر کرد
به تدریج جایگزین شد

Medical/Health

به تدریج بهبود یافتن
به تدریج اثر کردن
به تدریج قطع کردن دارو
به تدریج وزن کم کردن

Nature/Weather

به تدریج گرم شدن
به تدریج ذوب شدن
به تدریج پدیدار شدن
به تدریج خشک شدن

Self-Improvement

به تدریج یاد گرفتن
به تدریج عادت کردن
به تدریج تغییر دادن
به تدریج پیشرفت کردن

Economy

به تدریج افزایش یافتن قیمت
به تدریج رشد کردن
به تدریج حذف کردن یارانه‌ها
به تدریج وارد بازار شدن

بدايات محادثة

"آیا فکر می‌کنید زبان فارسی را می‌توان به تدریج یاد گرفت یا باید فشرده خواند؟"

"به نظر شما تکنولوژی به تدریج زندگی ما را بهتر کرده است یا بدتر؟"

"چگونه می‌توان به تدریج عادت‌های بد را با عادت‌های خوب جایگزین کرد؟"

"آیا وضعیت اقتصادی شهر شما به تدریج در حال تغییر است؟"

"در کشور شما، مردم به تدریج به سمت چه نوع غذاهایی می‌روند؟"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

درباره مهارتی بنویسید که به تدریج در آن استاد شده‌اید. چه مراحلی را طی کردید؟

چگونه دیدگاه شما نسبت به زندگی به تدریج در طول ده سال گذشته تغییر کرده است؟

یک فرآیند طبیعی (مثل تغییر فصل) را با استفاده از کلمه 'به تدریج' توصیف کنید.

درباره یک دوستی بنویسید که به تدریج شکل گرفت و عمیق شد.

اگر بخواهید دنیا را به تدریج تغییر دهید، از کجا شروع می‌کنید؟

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, but it might sound a bit formal. 'Kam-kam' is more natural for texting unless you are discussing a serious topic.

'Be tadrij' is a Persian prepositional phrase, while 'tadrijan' is the Arabic adverbial form (with tanwin). Both are formal, but 'tadrijan' is slightly more academic or old-fashioned.

In most cases, yes. It can also appear at the start of the sentence for emphasis, but before the verb is the most common and safest spot for learners.

Yes, it can describe a person's change in behavior or health, like 'او به تدریج مهربان‌تر شد' (He gradually became kinder).

Yes, if the movement is slow and progressive, like a glacier moving or a crowd dispersing.

It is 'be tadrij' (with 'be'). 'Ba tadrij' is not a standard construction in modern Persian.

The most direct opposite is 'nagahan' (suddenly) or 'yekbare' (all at once).

No, the order is always 'be' + 'tadrij'.

Use 'tadriji' (تدریجی). For example, 'تغییر تدریجی' (gradual change).

Extremely common. It fits the meter of many Persian poems and reflects a central philosophical theme of growth.

سجّل مجاناً للنصائح والملاحظات