Entry
ぐんぐん
gungun
Describes a process of growth, progress, or recovery that happens very quickly and with great momentum.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to indicate something developing, improving, or moving forward continuously without significant obstacles. Additionally, it can be used to describe the physical action of pulling something with strong force.
- Rapid growth and progress
- Forceful pulling action
Sense Map
Growth & Progress
Growing, developing, or improving rapidly and vigorously.
ぐんぐん成長する
Forceful Pulling
Pulling something physically with a strong burst of energy.
ロープをぐんぐん引っ張る
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐんぐん + 動詞
Used directly before a verb to describe the rate of progress or the force of an action.
ぐんぐんと + 動詞
Adding the particle to provides a more descriptive and slightly softer nuance, though the core meaning remains the same.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぐんぐん伸びる
grow rapidly
ぐんぐん進む
make rapid progress
ぐんぐん成長する
grow up fast
ぐんぐん引っ張る
pull strongly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical growth | Positive and energetic | Very commonly used to praise the fast and healthy growth of a child or a plant. |
| Pulling action | Forceful and straining | Indicates great physical effort, as if pulling steadily against a heavy weight or strong resistance. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どんどん どんどん / similar | Used when something continues, increases, or happens sequentially and continuously without pause. | Gungun emphasizes strength, momentum, and the rate of growth of a single entity, while dondon focuses on the continuous succession of a process or adding volume over time. | どんどん増える |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
泥棒がぐんぐん逃げた。
Gungun is not used for instantaneous speed or escaping, but for forceful continuous progress or growth.
コップがぐんぐん割れた。
Gungun is not used for instantaneous events like breaking, but for continuous processes.
Examples
Examples
植物がぐんぐん伸びる。
しょくぶつがぐんぐんのびる。
The plant grows rapidly and vigorously.
LiteralIndicates healthy and rapid physical growth.
病気からぐんぐん回復している。
びょうきからぐんぐんかいふくしている。
They are recovering from the illness very rapidly.
LiteralDescribes the process of health recovery going smoothly and quickly.
綱をぐんぐんと引っ張った。
つなをぐんぐんとひっぱった。
I pulled the rope with strong force.
LiteralExample of use for the physical action of pulling something strongly and continuously.
成績がぐんぐん上がっている。
せいせきがぐんぐんあがっている。
The grades are improving rapidly.
FigurativeUsed for improvements in abstract things like grades or skills.
車は雪道をぐんぐん進んでいった。
くるまはゆきみちをぐんぐんすすんでいった。
The car advanced steadily and powerfully through the snowy road.
LiteralShows the power of the car overcoming the obstacle of the snow.
Similar Words
Questions
What is the difference between gungun and dondon?
Dondon focuses on things happening continuously one after another or volume increasing, while gungun emphasizes strong energy, momentum, or a forceful rate of progress in a single subject.
Can I add the particle to and say gungunto?
Yes, gungunto is commonly used and gives a slightly more descriptive or narrative feel to the sentence without changing the core meaning.
Is gungun only used for physical growth?
No. Besides the physical growth of a child or a plant, it is used for abstract improvements like grades, recovering from an illness, or the physical act of pulling something strongly.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 911071610
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/ぐんぐん
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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