Entry
ぐんぐん
gungun
Describes steady, powerful, and rapid progress or growth occurring without hesitation.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word conveys a sense of strong momentum and energetic advancement. It is commonly used when children grow taller quickly, skills improve remarkably, or objects move forward with great force.
- Rapid physical growth of living things.
- Significant improvement in skills, grades, or performance.
- Powerful and fast movement forward.
Sense Map
Growth and Development
Used when children, animals, or plants grow noticeably taller or larger in a short span.
子供の背がぐんぐん伸びる。
Skill Improvement
Used for a sharp rise in proficiency, academic results, or any measurable achievement.
日本語がぐんぐん上達する。
Momentum and Speed
Used for moving forward or increasing speed with great, unhesitating force.
自転車で坂道をぐんぐん進む。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐんぐん + Verb
The standard adverbial use to describe the manner of an action.
ぐんぐんと + Verb
Adding と emphasizes the specific state or the vigorous nature of the movement.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぐんぐん伸びる
to stretch or grow rapidly
ぐんぐん育つ
to grow up healthily and quickly
ぐんぐん進む
to forge ahead or move fast
ぐんぐん上達する
to improve one's skills significantly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Child Growth | positive | Expresses amazement at how quickly a child is getting taller. |
| Business Performance | positive | Describes a strong, energetic recovery or rise in sales figures. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ずんずん ずんずん / similar | Used for moving forward steadily without stopping, often through a path or time. | Focused more on unhesitating physical movement forward, while ぐんぐん focuses on the power behind the growth or speed. | 雪道をずんずん歩く。 |
どんどん どんどん / similar | Used for continuous, successive actions or changes happening one after another. | More general for any repetitive action without stopping, whereas ぐんぐん implies a more forceful, surging momentum. | 仕事をどんどん片付ける。 |
すくすく すくすく / similar | Specifically for the healthy and carefree growth of children or plants. | Has a gentler, more natural nuance of 'healthy growth', while ぐんぐん feels more powerful and energetic. | 赤ちゃんがすくすく育つ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for negative trends like 'debts increasing'.
It is almost always used for positive, impressive, or powerful advancement.
Using it for slow, gradual changes.
Use it only when the progress is clearly rapid and forceful.
Examples
Examples
夏休みが明けると、弟の背がぐんぐん伸びていた。
なつやすみがあけると、おとうとのせがぐんぐんのびていた。
After summer break ended, my younger brother's height had shot up rapidly.
VisualFocuses on the visible physical growth occurring over a short period.
毎日練習したおかげで、テニスの腕がぐんぐん上がった。
まいにちれんしゅうしたおかげで、てにすのうでがぐんぐんあがった。
Thanks to practicing every day, my tennis skills improved by leaps and bounds.
FigurativeDescribes the energetic improvement of an abstract skill.
ボートは波を切って、島に向かってぐんぐん進んでいった。
ぼーとはなみをきって、しまにむかってぐんぐんすすんでいった。
The boat cut through the waves and forged ahead rapidly toward the island.
LiteralUsed for a powerful and steady physical movement.
たっぷりと水を吸った苗が、ぐんぐん育っている。
たっぷりとみずをすったなえが、ぐんぐんそだっている。
The seedlings, having absorbed plenty of water, are growing vigorously.
VisualDepicts plant growth that looks healthy and energetic.
新製品の売り上げが伸び、会社の業績がぐんぐん回復した。
しんせいひんのうりあげがのび、かいしゃのぎょうせきがぐんぐんかいふくした。
Sales of the new product increased, and the company's performance recovered rapidly.
FigurativeShows a strong and energetic recovery in economic trends.
Similar Words
ずんずん
zunzun
Describes steady, forceful, and rapid forward movement or progress without hesitation. Focuses on unhesitating forward movement through a path.
すくすく
sukusuku
Sukusuku describes the healthy, rapid, and unhindered growth of living things such as children or plants. Focuses on the healthy and natural growth of living things.
どんどん
dondon
Describes a rhythmic booming or pounding sound, or rapid progress that keeps coming one after another. Focuses on the continuous nature of actions or changes.
Questions
What is the difference between ぐんぐん and どんどん?
ぐんぐん emphasizes forceful momentum and growth. どんどん emphasizes a continuous, one-after-another action or change without pause.
Can I use it for weight gain?
It's possible if you want to emphasize a rapid, powerful increase, but it's much more common for height, plants, or skills.
Is it formal?
It is a neutral, descriptive word. You can find it in news reports as well as daily conversation.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1004160
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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