This study is on the developmental changes in meanings of the Japanese qualitative and quantitative words (most of them are adverbs) by means of the paired-comparison method. The qualitative and quantitative words are classified on the basis of the following four categdries of meanings : (1) 18 words which express degree of common things (TEST I) ; sugoku, hljoni, taihen, totemo, kanari, etc. (2) 16 words which express degree of probability (TEST II) ; zettaini, kanarazu, kitto, tashikani, tabun, etc. (3) 16 words which express degree of frequency (TEST III) ; itsumo; yoku, tabitabi, tokidoki, mareni, etc. (4) 18 words which express degree of psychological time-distance (TEST IV) ; a. 10 words which express the future ; suguni, imani, mamonaku, yagate, etc. b: 9 words which express the past : toni, senkoku, sakihodo, ima, etc. The subjects are required to answer the following questions.