Adjective
/pau̯.laˈti.no/
The adjective "paulatino" is used in Spanish to describe a process or change that occurs slowly or progressively rather than abruptly or suddenly. It often implies a sense of careful, measured, or incremental advancement in various contexts, including social, economic, educational, or personal development.
"Paulatino" is moderately used in both written and spoken Spanish but may be more prevalent in formal or academic contexts than in everyday conversation. It tends to appear in discussions that involve gradual changes or transitions.
The economic recovery was gradual, but we finally achieved stability.
Su cambio de actitud fue paulatino y no sucedió de la noche a la mañana.
His change of attitude was gradual and didn't happen overnight.
La implementación de las nuevas políticas fue paulatina para asegurar su aceptación.
"Paulatino" may not be commonly found in fixed idiomatic expressions; however, it can often be used in phrases that focus on gradual change or processes. Here are examples using the term in context:
Learning is a gradual process that requires time and patience.
La evolución de la sociedad es paulatina y siempre está en movimiento.
The evolution of society is gradual and is always in motion.
La pérdida de peso debe ser paulatina para ser sostenible a largo plazo.
Weight loss should be gradual to be sustainable in the long term.
Debemos tomar decisiones de manera paulatina para evitar errores graves.
We should make decisions gradually to avoid serious mistakes.
El crecimiento del negocio ha sido paulatino, pero ahora estamos viendo grandes resultados.
The word "paulatino" originates from the Latin term "paulatinus," which is derived from "paulatim," meaning "little by little" or "gradually." The prefix "paucus" in Latin means "few" or "little," indicating a slow and incremental process over time.