渐渐
jiànjiàn · HSK 4
gradually
📈 渐 + 渐 = gradual + gradual; doubled for 'step by step'
渐 means gradual or by stages; reduplicating it (渐渐) intensifies the slow, incremental sense — 'little by little'. The water radical 氵 hints at the original meaning: water seeping in slowly.