Usage note
“逐步”意思是慢慢地、一步一步地做事情。
“zhú bù” yì si shì màn màn de, yī bù yī bù de zuò shì qíng.
"Step by step" means to do things slowly, one step at a time.
Context note
学习新知识要逐步来，不能着急。
Xué xí xīn zhī shi yào zhú bù lái, bù néng zháo jí.
Learning new knowledge should be done step by step, not in a hurry.
5 examples
他逐步学会了骑自行车。
tā zhú bù xué huì le qí zì xíng chē。
He learned to ride a bicycle step by step.
我们要逐步完成这个项目。
wǒ men yào zhú bù wán chéng zhè ge xiàng mù。
We need to complete this project step by step.
天气逐步变暖了。
tiān qì zhú bù biàn nuǎn le。
The weather is getting warmer step by step.
他逐步提高了自己的成绩。
tā zhú bù tí gāo le zì jǐ de chéng jì。
He improved his grades step by step.
我们逐步了解了这个城市。
wǒ men zhú bù liǎo jiě le zhè ge chéng shì。
We got to know this city step by step.
5 mini stories
小丽逐步学会了游泳。她先学憋气。
xiǎo lì zhú bù xué huì le yóu yǒng。 tā xiān xué biē qì。
Xiao Li learned to swim step by step. She first learned to hold her breath.
我们逐步种好了小树。先挖坑，再浇水。
wǒ men zhú bù zhǒng hǎo le xiǎo shù。 xiān wā kēng， zài jiāo shuǐ。
We planted the small tree step by step. First dig a hole, then water.
他逐步改掉了坏习惯。每天少看电视。
tā zhú bù gǎi diào le huài xí guàn。 měi tiān shǎo kàn diàn shì。
He broke the bad habit step by step. Watch less TV every day.
小刚逐步学会了写字。他从笔画开始。
xiǎo gāng zhú bù xué huì le xiě zì。 tā cóng bǐ huà kāi shǐ。
Xiao Gang learned to write step by step. He started with strokes.
我们逐步完成了拼图。先拼边缘。
wǒ men zhú bù wán chéng le pīn tú。 xiān pīn biān yuán。
We completed the puzzle step by step. First put together the edges.
Mini dialogue
逐步完成拼图
A
这个拼图很难，我们逐步完成吧。
Zhège pīntú hěn nán, wǒmen zhúbù wánchéng ba.
This puzzle is difficult, let's complete it step by step.
B
好，先拼边上的，再逐步拼中间。
Hǎo, xiān pīn biān shàng de, zài zhúbù pīn zhōngjiān.
Okay, first do the edges, then step by step do the middle.
逐步学习汉字
A
学习汉字要逐步来，先学简单的。
Xuéxí hànzì yào zhúbù lái, xiān xué jiǎndān de.
Learning Chinese characters should be done step by step, first learn the simple ones.
B
对，逐步学习才能记得牢。
Duì, zhúbù xuéxí cáinéng jì de láo.
Right, learning step by step helps you remember firmly.
Related words and contrasts
similar
逐渐
zhú jiàn
gradually
similar meaning, often used for gradual change
similar
一步一步
yī bù yī bù
one step at a time
more colloquial, like 'step by step'
related
慢慢
màn màn
slowly
emphasizes slowness, not necessarily stepwise
contrast
一下子
yī xià zi
all at once
contrasts with step-by-step, meaning suddenly