Translation guide
The English word 'growth' covers physical increase, economic expansion, personal development, and biological processes. Japanese uses different words depending on what is growing and in what context.
To talk about growth of an economy, company, sales, or market.
The most common word for growth in economic, business, and organizational contexts. Also used for personal development.
Economic growth is continuing.
The company's growth is remarkable.
Often used for growth in numbers, such as sales, profits, or market share. Implies an increase or expansion.
Sales growth has slowed down.
Emphasizes expansion in scale or scope, such as business expansion or market growth.
We are planning business expansion.
To talk about a person's emotional, intellectual, or spiritual growth.
To talk about something getting bigger, such as a plant, animal, or body part.
General term for growth of living things.
Sunlight is necessary for plant growth.
Specifically refers to the growth and development of plants or animals under certain conditions.
Means increase or enlargement, often used for size, volume, or quantity. More formal.
To talk about growth of body parts or cells.
Can be used for biological growth in general.
My hair grows fast.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to grow longer', commonly used for hair, nails, or plants.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to grow' (hair, feathers, teeth, plants). Emphasizes emergence.
To refer to an abnormal mass of tissue.
成長 (seichou) is general growth in size, maturity, or economy. 発達 (hattatsu) emphasizes functional development, like cognitive or motor skills. For personal growth, 成長 is more common.
Children grow up fast.
There are individual differences in children's development.
成長 implies sustained, organic growth. For a temporary spike or increase, use 増加 (zouka) or 上昇 (joushou) instead.
This experience led to my personal growth.
子供の言語発達は早い。
Children's language development is rapid.
この土壌は作物の生育に適している。
This soil is suitable for crop growth.
腫瘍の増大が見られた。
Growth of the tumor was observed.
My nails have grown.
A beard has started to grow.
首にできものができた。
I have a growth on my neck.