Translation guide
How to express 'grow up' in Japanese, covering physical growth, emotional maturity, and the process of becoming an adult.
I grew up in Tokyo.
Grow up! (stop being childish)
When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.
To describe the process of becoming an adult, reaching legal age, or maturing into a grown-up.
The most common and natural way to say 'become an adult'. Literally 'become an adult'. Used for reaching adulthood in a general sense.
I want to grow up quickly.
He grew up to be a fine adult.
Specifically means to reach the age of majority (20 in Japan, now 18 as of 2022). More formal and legalistic than 大人になる.
In Japan, you become an adult at 18.
Means 'to grow' or 'to mature', but more often used for physical/mental development rather than specifically reaching adulthood. Can be used for 'grow up' in a broader sense.
Children grow up in the blink of an eye.
To tell someone to act their age, stop behaving immaturely, or become more responsible.
A direct command meaning 'grow up' or 'act like an adult'. Often used when scolding someone for childish behavior.
To describe the place or environment where someone spent their formative years.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to be raised' or 'to grow up'. Used for people, animals, or plants. Focuses on the process of growing in a particular environment.
To describe physical growth, such as a child getting taller or a plant getting bigger.
General term for growth, covering physical, mental, and economic development. Commonly used for children growing up.
育つ (そだつ) focuses on being raised in an environment. 成長する (せいちょうする) emphasizes the process of development. 大人になる (おとなになる) specifically means reaching adulthood. Use 育つ for 'I grew up in...', 成長する for 'children grow up fast', and 大人になる for 'when I grow up, I want to be...'.
I grew up in Kyoto.
You're not a child anymore, so grow up.
Means 'pull yourself together' or 'get a grip'. Implies the person needs to be more responsible or mature. Not a direct translation but often used in similar contexts.
Stop crying forever and grow up.
Literally 'to grow mentally/spiritually'. Used to describe emotional maturation, but sounds somewhat formal or analytical.
He grew up emotionally after studying abroad.
I grew up in Tokyo.
She grew up in the countryside.
Passive form of 育てる (to raise). Emphasizes being raised by someone. More formal or explicit about the agent.
I was raised by my grandparents.
This child is growing up healthy and fast.
Literally 'become big'. Very common for physical growth in size. More casual than 成長する.
You've grown up so fast.
子供は早く成長する。
Children grow up quickly.
When I grow up, I want to be a doctor.
育つ only refers to being raised or growing physically/in an environment. To tell someone to 'grow up' as in 'stop being childish', use 大人になりなさい or しっかりしなさい.