धीरे धीरे (dhiire dhiire)

adverb A reduplicated adverb meaning 'slowly, gradually' -- the doubling of धीरे (dhiire) intensifies the sense of a gradual, unhurried process. One core meaning, used constantly in everyday speech.

Sense 1 : slowly, gradually

adverb

Synonyms: आहिस्ता आहिस्ता (aahistaa aahistaa), क्रमशः (kramshah, formal, used for sequential/gradual progression rather than physical slowness)

Frequency: high

Cultural Note: This reduplication pattern -- saying a word twice for emphasis or continuity -- is everywhere in Hindi (धीरे धीरे (dhiire dhiire), थोड़ा थोड़ा (thodaa thodaa), एक एक (ek ek)), and it's one of the most native-sounding habits a learner can pick up. You'll hear धीरे धीरे (dhiire dhiire) constantly in contexts like learning a language, healing from an illness, or a relationship developing -- it carries a gentle, reassuring undertone, almost like telling someone 'don't rush, it'll happen in its own time.'

Common Mistakes: 1) Learners often use सिर्फ़ धीरे (dhiire) when they mean a gradual process over time (like improving at something or a habit fading), but the reduplicated धीरे धीरे (dhiire dhiire) is what native speakers reach for to convey 'over time, bit by bit' -- a single धीरे (dhiire) leans more toward 'slowly' in manner or speed (e.g. driving slowly). 2) It describes the pace of an action, not politeness or gentleness of tone -- learners sometimes conflate it with 'softly' when talking about voice or touch, where चुपके से (chupke se) or आहिस्ता से (aahistaa se) may fit better depending on context.

Sample Sentences:

धीरे धीरे तुम्हारी हिंदी अच्छी हो जाएगी। Slowly, slowly your Hindi will become good.

(dhiire dhiire tumhaarii hindii achchhii ho jaaegii।)

वह धीरे धीरे बीमारी से ठीक हो रहा है। He is slowly recovering from the illness.

(vah dhiire dhiire biimaarii se thiik ho rahaa hai।)

धीरे धीरे चलो, रास्ता फिसलन भरा है। Walk slowly, the path is slippery.

(dhiire dhiire chalo, raastaa phislan bharaa hai।)

उनकी दोस्ती धीरे धीरे प्यार में बदल गई। Their friendship slowly turned into love.

(unkii dostii dhiire dhiire pyaar men badal gaii।)

अगर तुम धीरे धीरे पैसे बचाते, तो अब तक घर खरीद लेते। If you had saved money little by little, you would have bought a house by now.

(agar tum dhiire dhiire paise bachaate, to ab tak ghar khariid lete।)

डॉक्टर ने कहा कि दवा धीरे धीरे असर करेगी, घबराओ मत। The doctor said the medicine will work slowly, don't worry.

(doktar ne kahaa ki davaa dhiire dhiire asar karegii, ghabraao mat।)

समय के साथ धीरे धीरे सब ठीक हो जाता है। With time, everything gradually becomes okay.

(samay ke saath dhiire dhiire sab thiik ho jaataa hai।)

बच्चा धीरे धीरे चलना सीख रहा था। The child was slowly learning to walk.

(bachchaa dhiire dhiire chalnaa siikh rahaa thaa।)

यह दर्द धीरे धीरे कम हो जाएगा, चिंता मत करो। This pain will gradually lessen, don't worry.

(yah dard dhiire dhiire kam ho jaaegaa, chintaa mat karo।)

शायद धीरे धीरे उसे समझ आ जाए कि उसने क्या खोया है। Maybe he will gradually come to understand what he has lost.

(shaayad dhiire dhiire use samajh aa jaae ki usne kyaa khoyaa hai।)

काम को धीरे धीरे करना ही बेहतर है, जल्दबाज़ी में गलती होती है। It's better to do the work slowly and steadily; mistakes happen in haste.

(kaam ko dhiire dhiire karnaa hii behtar hai, jaldbaazii men galtii hotii hai।)