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помаленьку

little by little, gradually, getting by, so-so

p ə m ɐ lʲ e nʲ k ʊ
по limited or one-time action + мал guy, fellow + еньк diminutive or affectionate + у away or off; often marks a completed action
adverb Rare #53,079
little by little, gradually Often used colloquially.
RU: Мы помаленьку учим русский.
EN: We’re learning Russian little by little.
getting by, so-so Colloquial; often used as a brief answer to «Как дела?» (“How are you?”).
RU: — Как дела? — Помаленьку.
EN: “How are you?” “Getting by.”

Давай помаленьку.

Let's take it little by little.

— Плата за страх (1953)

Да живем помаленьку.

We're getting by.

— Afonya (1975)

Помаленьку.

Little by little.

— Зачётный препод (2013)

Помаленьку, только платят мало.

Little by little, but they pay little.

— Плата за страх (1953)