Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Increase" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "increase", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
増える
ふえる (fueru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
増す
ます (masu)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "increase" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 増える and 増す.
In Japanese, 増える (ふえる (fueru)) is typically associated with "to increase (intransitive)" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Intransitive verb. Something increases by itself. The transitive verb is 増やす.
On the other hand, 増す (ます (masu)) maps to "to increase; to grow; to multiply" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to the increase in degree, level, severity, or quality over time. Often used as 魅力が増す or 不安が増す. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To increase! "My love for you increases by 100 times every single day, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Love increases 100 times daily! B-Baka! Don't compute affection like server bandwidth! But... since it's increasing, make sure it never drops even a single bit! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ます（増す）わよ！『ハルカ部長、お揃いのペアウォッチを身につけてデートするたびに、あなたへの愛おしさが劇的に増し（増して）いきます！』って…っ！愛おしさが増す！バカ！/// 私のほうこそ、あんたと一緒にいる時間の全てで愛しさが限界突破して増してるんだから！…お互いの愛情が一生右肩上がりに増し続ける最強の夫婦になりなさい！』. A literal translation of "increase" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "増える"
この地域では、最近外国人観光客が増えています。
In this region, the number of foreign tourists has recently increased.
Bilingual Context for "増す"
開発チームによる洗練されたデザイン改修の結果、新規Webサービスのトップページの魅力が劇的に_______、ユーザー登録数が急増しました。
As a result of the sophisticated design renovation by the development team, the charm of the top page of the new Web service dramatically increased, and the number of user registrations surged.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "この地域では、最近外国人観光客が増えています。" (Meaning: "In this region, the number of foreign tourists has recently increased.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "増える" fits here because it means "to increase (intransitive)" in the context of: "In this region, the number of foreign tourists has recently increased.". "増す" represents "to increase; to grow; to multiply".