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.
観光客が増えている。
The number of tourists is increasing.
物価が上がっている。
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.
最近、外国人の観光客が増えている。
Recently, the number of foreign tourists is increasing.
仕事の量が増えて、大変だ。
My workload is increasing and it's tough.
A more formal, written-style verb meaning 'to increase'. Often used in news or reports.
高齢者の人口が増加している。
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.
最近、在宅勤務をする人が増えてきている。
Lately, the number of people working from home has been increasing.
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.
物価が上がっている。
Prices are increasing.
気温が上がってきた。
The temperature has been increasing.
Formal term for 'to rise', often used in economic or technical contexts.
株価が上昇している。
Stock prices are increasing.
Intransitive verb for 'to heighten' or 'to build up', used for emotions, tension, awareness, etc.
To say that something is becoming more and more a certain way.
Adverb meaning 'increasingly' or 'more and more'. Used with adjectives or verbs.
彼はますます忙しくなっている。
He is getting increasingly busy.
その問題はますます深刻化している。
The problem is becoming increasingly serious.
Onomatopoeic adverb suggesting rapid or steady increase. More casual than ますます.
Grammar pattern meaning 'continues to increase' or 'keeps getting more...'. Often used for negative trends.
物価は上がる一方だ。
Prices just keep increasing.
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.
売上が10％増えた。
Sales increased by 10%.
会員数が100人増えた。
The number of members increased by 100.
Formal version using 増加する. Common in reports.
利益が20％増加した。
Profits increased by 20%.
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.
気温が増えている ❌
Temperature is increasing (wrong verb)
気温が上がっている ⭕
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.
電気自動車の需要が高まっている。
There is an increasing demand for electric cars.
留学する学生の数が増えている。
The number of students studying abroad is increasing.
環境への関心が高まっている。
Interest in the environment is increasing.
新しい店がどんどんできている。
New shops are increasing rapidly.