Translation guide
How to express that something has become larger in number, amount, degree, or intensity in Japanese.
The population increased.
The amount of work increased.
A more formal, written-style word for increase. Often used in news or reports.
Crime increased.
Used when something rises, like prices, temperature, or levels. Implies an upward movement.
To say that a quality, feeling, or state has become stronger or more intense.
Used for intangible things like feelings, pressure, or wind becoming stronger.
Often used for abstract things like awareness, tension, or expectations rising.
Expectations increased.
Similar to 増えた but often used for degree, value, or intensity. Slightly more literary.
The importance increased.
To say that something has become larger in physical size or scale.
To say that speed, tempo, or rate has gone up.
増える is for countable/numerical increase. 上がる is for things that rise (prices, temperature). 高まる is for abstract elevation (awareness, tension). Choose based on what is increasing.
増加する is formal and often sounds stiff in casual conversation. Use 増える or other verbs for everyday speech.