Translation guide
The English word 'increasing' describes something that is growing in amount, number, intensity, or degree. In Japanese, the most natural way to express this depends on what is increasing and the context. Common patterns include using verbs like 増える (for countable things or amounts), 上がる (for levels or prices), or the てくる form to indicate a continuing change. This guide organizes expressions by the type of increase and provides natural Japanese equivalents.
The number of tourists is increasing.
Prices are increasing.
To say that something is becoming larger in quantity, such as people, objects, or abstract amounts.
The most common and versatile verb for 'to increase' in number or amount. Used for countable and uncountable things. Intransitive.
Recently, the number of foreign tourists is increasing.
A more formal, written-style verb meaning 'to increase'. Often used in news or reports.
The elderly population is increasing.
Pattern using てくる to emphasize that the increase has been happening and continues. Very natural for ongoing trends.
To describe something rising in degree, such as temperature, prices, or emotions.
Intransitive verb for 'to rise' or 'to go up'. Used for prices, temperature, status, etc.
To say that something is becoming more and more a certain way.
To state that something has increased by a certain number or percentage.
Simple pattern: [thing] が [amount] 増えた. Use with counters or percentages.
増える is for countable or measurable quantities (people, emails, work). 上がる is for levels, prices, or status (temperature, salary, rank). Using the wrong one can sound unnatural.
Temperature is increasing (wrong verb)
There is an increasing demand for electric cars.
My workload is increasing and it's tough.
Lately, the number of people working from home has been increasing.
Prices are increasing.
The temperature has been increasing.
Formal term for 'to rise', often used in economic or technical contexts.
Stock prices are increasing.
Intransitive verb for 'to heighten' or 'to build up', used for emotions, tension, awareness, etc.
Interest in the environment is increasing.
Adverb meaning 'increasingly' or 'more and more'. Used with adjectives or verbs.
He is getting increasingly busy.
The problem is becoming increasingly serious.
Onomatopoeic adverb suggesting rapid or steady increase. More casual than ますます.
New shops are increasing rapidly.
Grammar pattern meaning 'continues to increase' or 'keeps getting more...'. Often used for negative trends.
Prices just keep increasing.
Sales increased by 10%.
The number of members increased by 100.
Formal version using 増加する. Common in reports.
Profits increased by 20%.
Temperature is increasing (correct)
English often uses 'increasing' as an adjective (increasing demand). In Japanese, it's usually more natural to use a verb phrase like 需要が高まっている (demand is increasing) rather than a direct adjective equivalent.
The number of students studying abroad is increasing.