The word allmählich functions as an adverb and carries the core meaning of a gradual or slow progression toward something. It describes processes that unfold step by step, without sudden changes, often implying a steady transition over time. In English, allmählich is most often translated as "gradually," though in certain contexts it can also mean "bit by bit" or "slowly." It is frequently applied to developments, feelings, changes of state, or actions that do not happen immediately but build up over a period.
One common use of allmählich appears in sentences like Die Temperaturen steigen allmählich, which means "The temperatures are gradually rising." Here, the word sets the expectation of a slow, ongoing increase. Similarly, in Mir wird allmählich kalt, translating to "I'm slowly getting cold," the speaker indicates that the sensation of cold is not sudden but is setting in little by little. In both examples, allmählich modifies the verb to highlight the progressive nature of the action or state.
Allmählich appears in both spoken and written German and is neutral in register. It fits easily into formal writing, such as reports or academic texts, where precise descriptions of developments are required, but it is just as common in everyday conversation when recounting personal experiences or observations. It does not sound elevated or technical, nor does it feel overly casual.
In place of allmählich, several other expressions can convey similar ideas, though they differ in nuance. Langsam often overlaps with allmählich, especially when describing the onset of a feeling or process, as in Langsam wird es dunkel ("It's slowly getting dark"). However, langsam tends to emphasize slowness itself, whereas allmählich stresses the progression from one state to another. Another option is nach und nach, meaning "little by little," which can suggest a sequence of steps or small increments, such as in Nach und nach füllte sich der Raum ("Little by little, the room filled up"). While allmählich often implies a continuous, smooth process, nach und nach can suggest a series of distinct additions or stages. The phrase schrittweise is another alternative, primarily used in formal contexts and associated with systematic or planned processes, as in Die Reform wird schrittweise umgesetzt ("The reform is being implemented step by step"). Compared to these, allmählich sits comfortably in the middle, appropriate for organic, steady developments without drawing attention to either the slowness or the method of change.
The word allmählich developed from older forms of German, combining all- and Mähle. The prefix all- in this case relates to allgemein or allenthalben, carrying the sense of "entire" or "complete." The element Mähle is an archaic plural form of Mahl, which originally referred to a time or occasion. In Middle High German, the phrase alle Mähle meant something like "at every time" or "continually." Over time, this construction condensed into the single word allmählich, shifting its meaning to focus on the gradual passage through successive moments. The sense of something happening over multiple instances evolved into the idea of steady, uninterrupted change.
Allmählich appears in certain set phrases in German, often introducing a turning point or a mild admonition. A frequent example is Es wird allmählich Zeit, meaning "It's about time." This expression implies that something has been delayed and the moment has now arrived when it should happen, with a subtle undertone of impatience or urgency. The addition of allmählich softens the statement compared to the more direct Es ist Zeit, while still hinting that the delay has lasted long enough. Another instance might be Allmählich reicht es, translating to "That's enough already," where the word underscores that patience has worn thin over a period, rather than all at once.