Translation guide
The English word "increase" can be expressed in Japanese through verbs, nouns, and patterns that describe growth, addition, or escalation. The most common and versatile option is 増える (intransitive) / 増やす (transitive). Other choices depend on whether the increase is in number, degree, speed, or intensity, and whether it is natural or intentional.
To say that something increases in number, amount, or degree on its own.
The most common and neutral intransitive verb for 'increase'. Used for countable things, amounts, and abstract levels.
The population is increasing.
A formal, written-style verb often used in reports or news. Functions as both intransitive and transitive.
Crime is increasing.
Intransitive verb for 'rise' or 'go up', used for prices, temperature, status, etc.
Intransitive verb implying growth or extension, often used for sales, abilities, or physical length.
To say that someone or something increases something else.
The most common transitive verb for 'increase'. Used when you actively make something grow in number or amount.
To express that speed, tempo, or rate becomes faster.
Literally 'become fast'. The most natural way to say speed increases.
To say that strength, severity, or intensity grows.
To refer to the concept or instance of increase as a noun.
The most general noun for 'increase'. Neutral and widely used.
My workload has increased recently.
Prices have increased.
Sales increased.
I want to increase my savings.
The company increased its staff.
Transitive verb for 'raise' or 'increase', used for prices, volume, standards, etc.
The government increased taxes.
Causative form of 増加する, explicitly transitive. Formal and often used in business or academic contexts.
a policy to increase demand
The car's speed increased.
To accelerate. Used for vehicles, processes, or trends.
The economic slowdown accelerated.
Intransitive verb for 'intensify' or 'become stronger'. Used for wind, rain, feelings, pressure, etc.
The wind is increasing.
To become violent or intense. Common for rain, pain, competition.
The rain increased in intensity.
Intransitive verb for 'rise' or 'build up', often used for emotions, tension, or awareness.
Expectations are increasing.
The increase in population is becoming a problem.
A formal noun implying a large or significant increase, often in scale or volume.
to curb the increase in costs
A rise or climb, used for numerical values like prices, temperature, or rates.
The temperature increase continues.
I increased my savings.
English 'increase' covers many concepts. In Japanese, 上がる (rise), 伸びる (grow/extend), 強まる (intensify) are often more natural depending on context. Using 増える for speed or intensity can sound unnatural.