also: ネズミざん
geometric progression; exponential growth
Refers to the mathematical concept of geometric progression, often illustrated by the rapid multiplication of mice. Used in contexts like 鼠算的に増える (increase exponentially).
鼠算で計算すると、わずか数か月で莫大な数になる。
If you calculate it as a geometric progression, it becomes an enormous number in just a few months.
proliferation; multiplying like rats
Figurative use emphasizing rapid, uncontrolled increase, often with a negative connotation. Common in phrases like 鼠算的に増える.
放置された空き家が鼠算的に増えている。
Abandoned houses are proliferating like rats.
Standard kanji spelling; 鼠 is a non-jōyō kanji but commonly used in this compound.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; easier to read for learners.
Katakana-kanji spelling; sometimes used for emphasis or in informal writing.
Named for traditional arithmetic problems calculating the rapid multiplication of mice. It consequently came to denote geometric or exponential increase.