Σιγά σιγά προσαρμόζομαι στη νέα χώρα.

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Breakdown of Σιγά σιγά προσαρμόζομαι στη νέα χώρα.

• νέος: new
• η χώρα: the country
• σιγά σιγά: little by little

Questions & Answers about Σιγά σιγά προσαρμόζομαι στη νέα χώρα.

What does σιγά σιγά literally mean, and why is it repeated?

Literally, σιγά means slowly / gently / quietly.

When you say σιγά σιγά, the repetition gives it a special idiomatic meaning:

• σιγά σιγά = little by little, gradually, bit by bit

So in the sentence:

• Σιγά σιγά προσαρμόζομαι στη νέα χώρα.
  → Little by little, I’m adapting to the new country.

The repetition is very common and natural in Greek. You can also use σιγά σιγά in many contexts where English uses gradually or step by step.

You can say just σιγά on its own, but then it usually means slowly or sometimes calm down / take it easy, depending on tone and context. The doubled form σιγά σιγά strongly suggests a process over time.

Is σιγά σιγά always about physical speed, or can it be abstract like in this sentence?

It can be both physical and abstract.

Physical:

• Σιγά σιγά περπατάει.
  He/She is walking slowly, little by little.

Abstract (like your sentence):

• Σιγά σιγά προσαρμόζομαι στη νέα χώρα.
  Little by little I’m adapting to the new country.
• Σιγά σιγά το καταλαβαίνω.
  I’m understanding it little by little.

So it often means gradually in a broad sense, not just slow physical movement.

What tense is προσαρμόζομαι, and does it mean “I adapt” or “I’m adapting”?