Abstract
In the following paper, the author clarifies the process of the development of degree and evaluative meaning in the Sino-Japanese adverb zuibun, and demonstrates the pattern of semantic change for Sino-Japanese adverbs. Originally, zuibun was not used to express degree; however, through its usage as a quantitative adverb expressing concrete quantity, it developed an abstract meaning expressing degree. Moreover, after this initial development, in addition to expressing physical degree, zuibun developed into an evaluative adverb expressing situations of considerably high degree. The author clarifies that "degree meaning,""quantitative meaning," and "evaluative meaning" are semantically related, and at the same time, represent a diachronical pattern for change. The case of zuibun demonstrates a pattern of formation for degree adverbs and semantic change in degree meaning.
