Explanation at your level:
Hello! Today we learn a word: 増す (masu). It means 'to get bigger' or 'to have more'. Imagine you have one toy, and then you get another toy. Now you have more toys! Your toys 増した (mashita). You can say 'more' or 'bigger'. For example, 'My happiness 増した!' means 'I am happier!' It's a simple word for things getting larger.
The verb 増す (masu) is used when something becomes greater in amount or size. Think about your collection of stickers. If you get more stickers, your collection 増した. We often use it with the particle を (o) to show what is increasing. For example, 友達を増す (tomodachi o masu) means 'to increase friends'. It's a useful verb for talking about growth in simple terms.
増す (masu) is a key verb for expressing increase or growth. You can use it for concrete things like numbers or quantities, or abstract things like feelings. For instance, 体重を増す (taijū o masu) means 'to gain weight', while 関心を増す (kanshin o masu) means 'to increase interest'. The adverbial form ますます (masumasu), meaning 'more and more', is also very common and useful for emphasizing a continuous trend.
When discussing trends or changes, 増す (masu) is an essential verb. It signifies a rise in quantity, degree, or intensity. Consider its use in business contexts like 収益を増す (shūeki o masu - to increase revenue) or in social contexts like 影響力を増す (eikyōryoku o masu - to increase influence). The phrase 増すばかり (masubakari), meaning 'only increasing', highlights a situation where a quantity continues to grow without any sign of reduction, often used for negative trends like worry or debt.
The verb 増す (masu) offers a nuanced way to describe augmentation across various domains. Beyond simple numerical increases, it can denote a deepening of qualities or states. For example, 経験を積むことで、判断力が増す (Keiken o tsumu koto de, handanryoku ga masu) translates to 'By gaining experience, judgment becomes sharper/increases'. It can also be used to describe the amplification of abstract concepts, such as 緊張感が増す (kinchōkan ga masu - the tension increases). Understanding its grammatical patterns, especially with を (o) for direct objects and the intransitive use with が (ga), is crucial for sophisticated expression.
Mastery of 増す (masu) involves appreciating its subtle connotations and idiomatic applications. While fundamentally meaning 'to increase', its usage can imply a qualitative shift as well as a quantitative one. For instance, in literary contexts, 詩情を増す (shijō o masu) might mean 'to enhance the poetic sentiment'. The related term 増長 (zōchō) carries a strong negative implication of arrogance born from success, contrasting with the neutral or positive sense of 増す itself. Examining its etymological roots in characters signifying growth and cultivation provides deeper insight into its semantic range, allowing for a more profound understanding of its deployment in classical and modern Japanese texts.
30초 단어
- Means 'to increase' or 'to become greater'.
- Used for quantity, size, intensity, and abstract concepts.
- Often paired with the particle を (o) for direct objects.
- Related to natural growth (増える) and formal terms (増加する).
Hey there! Let's dive into the awesome Japanese verb 増す (masu). It's a super useful word that basically means 'to increase' or 'to become greater'. Think of it as the opposite of 'decreasing'. You can use it for all sorts of things, from numbers and amounts to feelings and abstract concepts. It's like watching a plant grow taller or seeing your savings account balance go up – that's 増す in action!
We often use 増す when we want to talk about something growing in size, quantity, or even intensity. For example, if a company's sales are going up, you'd say their sales 増した. Or if you feel more and more tired as the day goes on, your tiredness 増している. It's a versatile verb that helps us describe positive growth or a rise in something.
Understanding 増す is key to grasping how Japanese speakers talk about change and progression. It’s a fundamental verb that pops up in everyday conversations, business reports, and even literature. So, get ready to see how this little verb can make a big impact in your Japanese learning journey!
The kanji for 増す, which is 増, has a fascinating origin. It's composed of two parts: the radical 'sun' (日 - nichi) and the phonetic component 'mouth' (口 - kuchi), combined with 'field' (田 - ta). However, the character's actual etymology is a bit more nuanced. It's believed to have originated from a pictograph representing a 'field' (田) with 'water' (represented by strokes around it, sometimes simplified to 口 or similar shapes) to signify irrigation, which leads to increased yield or growth.
Over time, the character evolved. The 'sun' radical might have been added to emphasize the growth that happens under the sun, especially in agriculture. The meaning of 'increase' or 'multiply' became strongly associated with this character. In its verb form, 増す, it carries this core sense of augmentation and expansion.
Historically, characters related to growth and increase were vital for agricultural societies. The concept of 'more' was directly linked to prosperity and survival. Thus, 増 (masu) became a fundamental character representing this crucial idea. Its usage has remained consistent, signifying an increase in quantity or degree across various contexts, from ancient texts to modern Japanese.
増す (masu) is a versatile verb used in a wide range of situations. You'll often hear it in contexts related to economics, like 売上を増す (uriage o masu - to increase sales) or 利益を増す (rieki o masu - to increase profit). In personal life, it can describe growing emotions, such as 愛情を増す (aijō o masu - to increase love) or 不安を増す (fuan o masu - to increase anxiety).
It's important to note the particle を (o) that often precedes 増す, marking the direct object – the thing that is increasing. For example, 時間を増す (jikan o masu - to increase time) or 力を増す (chikara o masu - to increase strength). Sometimes, it can also be used intransitively, meaning something increases on its own, like 人気がますます増す (ninkiga masumasu masu - popularity increases more and more).
When speaking casually, you might hear variations or related expressions. However, 増す itself is quite standard across different registers. It's a go-to verb for expressing any kind of growth or augmentation. Just remember to pair it with the thing you want to see grow, usually with the particle を!
While 増す itself is a direct verb, it appears in many common expressions and phrases that add nuance:
- ますます (masumasu): This is an adverbial form meaning 'more and more' or 'increasingly'. It's used to emphasize a continuous increase. Example: 彼の人気はますます高まっている。(Kare no ninki wa masumasu takamatte iru. - His popularity is increasing more and more.)
- 増すばかり (masubakari): This phrase means 'only increasing' or 'steadily increasing'. It implies that there's no sign of decrease. Example: 心配は増すばかりだ。(Shinpai wa masubakari da. - My worries are only increasing.)
- 増長する (zōchō suru): This is a related verb, often with a negative connotation, meaning 'to become arrogant', 'to grow conceited', or 'to become overconfident' due to increased success or power. Example: 彼は成功して増長した。(Kare wa seikō shite zōchō shita. - He became arrogant after his success.)
- 増税 (zōzei): This is a noun meaning 'tax increase'. It's a common term in news and politics. Example: 政府は増税を検討している。(Seifu wa zōzei o kentō shite iru. - The government is considering a tax increase.)
- 増員 (zōin): This noun means 'increase in personnel' or 'adding staff'. Example: 会社は増員した。(Kaisha wa zōin shita. - The company increased its staff.)
These expressions show how the core concept of 'increase' from 増す extends into various aspects of language.
The verb 増す (masu) is a Group 1 verb (godan dōshi) in Japanese, meaning its stem changes depending on the grammatical ending. Its dictionary form is 増す. The polite '-masu' form is 増します (mashimasu), and the past tense is 増した (mashita). The continuative form is 増して (mashite), often used to connect clauses.
Pronunciation is straightforward. In standard Japanese, it's pronounced 'mah-soo'. The 'u' sound at the end is often devoiced, sounding more like 'mah-ss'. There isn't a significant difference in pronunciation between British and American English speakers learning Japanese, as the sounds are relatively consistent. The stress pattern is generally even across the syllables, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
Common rhyming words are scarce due to the unique 'su' ending. However, words ending in '-su' include 走る (hashiru - to run), 貸す (kasu - to lend), and 明日 (ashita - tomorrow). When practicing, focus on the clear 'm' sound at the beginning and the distinct 's' sound before the final 'u'. Pay attention to the particle を (o) when it precedes 増す, as it's crucial for indicating what is increasing.
Fun Fact
The character 増 combines 'field' (田) and 'water' (represented by strokes around it, suggesting irrigation), highlighting its ancient roots in agriculture and the concept of increased yield.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'mah-ss', with the final 'u' being very short or almost silent.
Similar to UK, 'mah-ss', the final 'u' is often devoiced.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the final 'u' too strongly, like 'mah-soo'.
- Confusing the 'm' sound with 'n'.
- Not emphasizing the 's' sound clearly.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Kanji can be challenging, but context is usually clear.
Choosing between 増す and 増える, or using correct particles, requires practice.
Pronunciation is straightforward, but choosing the right verb in context is key.
Common word, usually understood easily in context.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Transitive vs. Intransitive Verbs
売上を増す (transitive) vs. 人気が増す (intransitive)
Using Adverbs like ますます
ますます良くなる
Te-form for Connecting Clauses
経験を積んで増す力
Examples by Level
おもちゃが 増した。
toys / increased.
Past tense of 増す.
私の喜びは増した。
my / joy / increased.
Possessive 'my' + noun + verb.
水がもっと増した。
water / more / increased.
Adverb 'more' + noun + verb.
友達が一人増した。
friend / one person / increased.
Counter for people + noun + verb.
これは良い増しです。
this / good / increase / is.
Noun form of 'increase'.
彼の声が増した。
his / voice / increased.
Possessive 'his' + noun + verb.
本が増した。
books / increased.
Plural noun + verb.
幸せが増した。
happiness / increased.
Abstract noun + verb.
この部屋はもっと広くなりました。広さが増したのです。
this / room / more / became spacious. / spaciousness / increased / is.
Using 増す to explain a change in state.
彼の知識は日々増しています。
his / knowledge / daily / is increasing.
Present progressive tense of 増す.
新しいプロジェクトで、仕事量が増えました。
new / project / at, / workload / increased.
Using 増す to describe an increase in workload.
彼女はますます美しくなった。
she / more and more / beautiful / became.
Using the adverb ますます (masumasu).
この地域では人口が増加しています。
this / region / in, / population / is increasing.
Using 増す in a demographic context.
彼の自信が増したのを感じた。
his / confidence / increased / felt.
Using 増す with abstract nouns.
そのニュースを聞いて、心配が増した。
that / news / heard, / worry / increased.
Expressing an increase in negative emotions.
私たちはもっと多くの経験を積むべきだ。
we / more / much / experience / should gain.
Related to gaining experience which 'increases' skill.
この新しい技術は、生産性を大幅に増すだろう。
this / new / technology, / productivity / significantly / will increase.
Future tense, formal context.
彼の成功は、多くの人々の羨望を増した。
his / success / many / people's / envy / increased.
Using 増す with abstract nouns like envy.
この薬は痛みを増すことがあるので注意してください。
this / medicine / pain / increase / sometimes / because, / please be careful.
Potential negative side effect.
ますます困難になるだろうが、諦めない。
more and more / difficult / will become, / but / will not give up.
Using ますます for emphasis.
その地域では、観光客の数が年々増している。
that / region / in, / tourists' / number / year by year / is increasing.
Describing a trend over time.
彼の話を聞いて、彼女の疑念は増すばかりだった。
his / story / heard, / her / doubt / only increasing / was.
Using 増すばかり to indicate continuous increase.
この状況は、事態をさらに増す可能性がある。
this / situation / the situation / further / increase / possibility / has.
Potential for worsening a situation.
政府は国民の支持を増すための政策を打ち出した。
government / the people's / support / increase / for / policy / put forward.
Political context, seeking support.
グローバル化の進展は、文化間の相互理解を増す一方で、新たな摩擦を生む可能性も秘めている。
globalization's / progress / mutual understanding / between cultures / increase / while, / new friction / create / possibility / also holds.
Complex sentence structure, nuanced meaning.
彼の芸術作品は、鑑賞者の想像力を増幅させ、深い感動を与える。
his / art works / viewers' / imagination / amplify / deep / emotion / give.
Using 増す in the context of art and emotion.
デジタル化の波は、情報の伝達速度を増すだけでなく、その質にも変革をもたらしている。
digitalization's / wave / information's / transmission speed / increase / not only, / its quality / also / transformation / is bringing.
Discussing the impact of technology.
増税論議は、常に国民の生活に直結するため、慎重な議論が求められる。
tax increase / debate / always / people's / lives / directly connected / because, / careful / discussion / is required.
Noun form 増税 (zōzei) in a serious context.
増え続ける人口問題に対処するため、持続可能な開発計画の策定が急務となっている。
increasing / population problem / to deal with, / sustainable / development plan / formulation / urgent task / has become.
Using 増え続ける (fue tsuzukeru - continuing to increase).
彼の増長した態度は、周囲との関係を悪化させる一因となった。
his / arrogant / attitude / with those around / relationship / worsen / one cause / became.
Using 増長 (zōchō) for negative arrogance.
この研究は、既存の知見を増すだけでなく、新たな学術的パラダイムを提示する可能性を秘めている。
this / research / existing / knowledge / increase / not only, / new / academic paradigm / present / possibility / holds.
Academic context, advancing knowledge.
増員された人員は、プロジェクトの遅延を取り戻すべく、昼夜を問わず作業にあたった。
increased personnel / project's / delay / recover / day and night / without regard / work / undertook.
Noun form 増員 (zōin) in a work context.
その作家は、比喩表現を巧みに用いることで、読者の感情移入を増幅させ、物語に深みを与えている。
that / author / metaphorical expressions / skillfully / by using, / readers' / emotional engagement / amplify / story / depth / is giving.
Nuanced use of 'amplify' for emotional response.
増すばかりの社会不安は、個人の精神的健康に無視できない影響を及ぼしている。
only increasing / social anxiety / individual's / mental health / ignore / cannot / impact / is exerting.
Emphasizing continuous negative trend.
この芸術家の作品は、観る者の視点を増し、日常的な事象に新たな光を当てる。
this / artist's / works / viewers' / perspective / increase / everyday / phenomena / new / light / shed on.
Enhancing perspective and insight.
増税による家計への負担増は、消費者の購買意欲を減退させる可能性がある。
tax increase / due to / household budgets / burden increase / consumers' / purchasing desire / reduce / possibility / has.
Economic impact analysis.
増員計画は、事業拡大に伴う業務負荷の増加に対応するための戦略的措置である。
personnel increase plan / business expansion / accompanying / work load's / increase / to cope with / strategic measure / is.
Strategic use of増員.
増長した権力は、しばしば腐敗を招き、社会全体の安定を脅かす。
inflated / power / often / corruption / invite, / society's / overall / stability / threaten.
Consequences of unchecked power.
増幅された報道は、人々の不安を煽り、冷静な判断を妨げる要因となり得る。
amplified / media coverage / people's / anxiety / stir up, / calm / judgment / hinder / factor / can become.
Impact of amplified information.
増え続ける環境問題への関心は、国際社会における協力体制の構築を促している。
increasing / environmental problems / towards / interest / international community / within / cooperative structure / construction / is prompting.
Connecting increased awareness to action.
増すばかりの技術革新の奔流は、既存の産業構造を根底から覆し、新たな経済秩序の形成を加速させている。
only increasing / technological innovation's / torrent / existing / industrial structures / from the foundation / overturn, / new / economic order's / formation / accelerate / is.
Figurative language, high-level economic/technological discourse.
増長した世俗的権力は、しばしば精神的価値観の希薄化を招き、文化の変容を余儀なくさせる。
inflated / secular power / often / spiritual values' / dilution / invite, / culture's / transformation / compel / makes.
Philosophical/sociological analysis of power dynamics.
増幅されたイメージ広告は、消費者の潜在意識に深く浸透し、購買行動の非合理性を助長する。
amplified / image advertising / consumers' / subconscious / deeply / penetrate, / purchasing behavior's / irrationality / promote / does.
Psychological analysis of marketing.
増税の是非を巡る議論は、しばしば経済的合理性と社会的公平性の間で揺れ動き、国民的コンセンサスの形成を困難にさせる。
tax increase / pros and cons / surrounding / debate / often / economic rationality / social fairness / between / sway, / national consensus' / formation / difficult / makes.
Complex socio-economic and political commentary.
増員による組織再編は、一時的な効率性の向上をもたらすかもしれないが、長期的には従業員の士気低下を招くリスクも孕んでいる。
personnel increase / due to / organizational restructuring / temporary / efficiency's / improvement / might bring, / long-term / employees' / morale decline / invite / risk / also / holds.
Strategic management analysis with risk assessment.
増えゆく情報過多の時代において、真偽を見極める批判的思考力の涵養こそが、知性の成熟に不可欠である。
increasing / information overload / era / in, / truth and falsehood / discern / critical thinking ability's / cultivation / precisely / intellect's / maturity / essential / is.
Epistemological considerations in the information age.
増幅された恐怖心は、しばしば合理的な判断力を麻痺させ、集団パニックを引き起こす触媒となる。
amplified / fear / often / rational / judgment / paralyze, / mass panic / cause / catalyst / becomes.
Psychology of fear and crowd behavior.
増し続ける環境破壊は、地球規模での生態系のバランスを不可逆的に損ない、人類存続の危機を顕在化させている。
increasing / environmental destruction / global scale / ecosystem's / balance / irreversibly / damage, / humanity's / survival / crisis / manifest / is making.
High-level environmental science and existential risk discourse.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"ますます"
More and more; increasingly.
彼は<strong>ますます</strong>元気になった。
neutral"増すばかり"
Only increasing; steadily increasing.
心配は<strong>増すばかり</strong>だ。
neutral"増長する"
To become arrogant or conceited due to success.
彼は成功して<strong>増長した</strong>。
neutral"増税"
Tax increase.
政府は<strong>増税</strong>を検討している。
formal"増員"
Increase in personnel; adding staff.
会社は<strong>増員</strong>した。
formal"増刊号"
Special issue (of a magazine or publication).
この雑誌は<strong>増刊号</strong>を出した。
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean 'to increase' and share the same kanji.
増える is primarily intransitive (something increases on its own, e.g., population増える) and often implies natural growth. 増す can be transitive (e.g., to increase sales - 売上を増す) or intransitive, and often implies a more deliberate action or a rise in intensity/degree.
人口が<strong>増えた</strong>。(Jinkō ga <strong>fueta</strong>. - The population increased.) vs. 経験を<strong>増した</strong>。(Keiken o <strong>mashita</strong>. - I increased my experience.)
Pronunciation is very similar (masu vs. makasu).
増す (masu) means 'to increase'. 負かす (makasu) means 'to defeat' or 'to beat'.
彼は私を<strong>負かした</strong>。(Kare wa watashi o <strong>makashita</strong>. - He defeated me.) vs. 彼の自信は<strong>増した</strong>。(Kare no jishin wa <strong>mashita</strong>. - His confidence increased.)
Both mean 'to increase greatly', and 増大する uses the same kanji 増.
増大する is a more formal and emphatic term, often used for large-scale increases, especially of negative things like problems or scale (e.g., 問題が増大する - mondai ga zōdaisuru). 増す is more general.
問題が<strong>増大した</strong>。(Mondai ga <strong>zōdaishita</strong>. - The problem grew enormously.) vs. 彼の声が<strong>増した</strong>。(Kare no koe ga <strong>mashita</strong>. - His voice became louder.)
Both can relate to things getting bigger.
膨らむ specifically refers to swelling, inflating, or growing larger in size or volume (like a balloon, a budget, or a stomach). 増す is a more general term for increase in quantity, degree, or intensity.
予算が<strong>膨らんだ</strong>。(Yosan ga <strong>fukuranda</strong>. - The budget swelled.) vs. 予算を<strong>増した</strong>。(Yosan o <strong>mashita</strong>. - We increased the budget.)
Sentence Patterns
Noun + を + 増す
私たちは売上<strong>を増す</strong>ために新しい戦略を立てました。
Noun + が + 増す
最近、健康への関心<strong>が増して</strong>います。
ますます + Verb
彼女は<strong>ますます</strong>美しくなった。
Noun + は + 増すばかり + だ/だった
彼の借金<strong>は増すばかりだった</strong>。
Verb (て-form) + 増す
経験<strong>を積んで増す</strong>力。
어휘 가족
Nouns
Verbs
관련
How to Use It
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
増える is often used for things that increase on their own or naturally, like numbers of people or objects. 増す often implies an action or a more deliberate increase.
These words sound similar but have completely different meanings. Pay close attention to the kanji and context.
When 増す is used transitively (meaning it takes a direct object), the particle を is typically used to mark that object.
While 増す can mean 'increase in size', 膨らむ is more specific for things that swell or inflate, like balloons or dough.
While 増す can be used for feelings, 高まる is often preferred for emotions like tension, excitement, or anticipation.
Tips
Master the Kanji!
Focus on the kanji 増 itself. Break it down: 田 (field) + water strokes = growth from farming. This visual helps remember the core meaning of increase.
Action vs. Natural Growth
Remember: 増す often implies an action or deliberate increase (e.g., 'We increased production'). Use 増える for natural growth (e.g., 'The population increased').
Economic Focus
Japanese culture often emphasizes growth and improvement. You'll see 増す frequently in news about the economy, business, and societal development.
Particle Power: を vs. が
Pay attention! When *you* are the one causing the increase, use を (e.g., 売上を増す). When something increases *by itself*, use が (e.g., 人気が増す).
The Soft 'U'
Don't over-pronounce the final 'u' in 'masu'. Aim for a soft 'ss' sound at the end, like 'mah-ss'.
Don't Confuse with 負かす!
増す (masu) and 負かす (makasu - to defeat) sound similar but are totally different. Always check the kanji!
Ancient Roots
The kanji for 'increase' has roots in ancient agricultural practices, showing how vital growth was for early societies.
Contextualize Everything
Instead of just memorizing 'increase', try to find sentences where 増す is used. Notice *what* is increasing and *why*. This builds deeper understanding.
Emphasize with ますます
When you want to say something is increasing *more and more*, use the adverb ますます before the verb 増す. It's a powerful way to show continuous growth.
Verb Conjugation Practice
Practice conjugating 増す into its different forms: 増します (mashimasu), 増した (mashita), 増して (mashite). This is crucial for fluency.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'Mas'ter chef who always makes more food for everyone! 'Masu' sounds like 'Mas', and it means to increase.
Visual Association
Picture a growing plant with the kanji 増 on its leaves, symbolizing increase.
Word Web
챌린지
Try describing three things that have increased in your life today using 増す.
어원
Chinese
Original meaning: The character originally depicted a field with water channels, signifying agricultural growth and abundance.
문화적 맥락
While the word itself is neutral, discussing increases in sensitive areas like taxes (増税) or negative trends (e.g., crime rates) requires careful wording and context.
In English-speaking cultures, the concept of increase is fundamental in economics, personal finance, and growth narratives. Phrases like 'growing the economy' or 'increasing your wealth' are common.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Business/Economics
- 売上を増す (uriage o masu)
- 利益を増す (rieki o masu)
- 市場シェアを増す (shijō shea o masu)
Personal Growth/Feelings
- 自信を増す (jishin o masu)
- 知識を増す (chishiki o masu)
- 不安を増す (fuan o masu)
Social Trends
- 人口が増す (jinkō ga masu)
- 人気が増す (ninki ga masu)
- 影響力が増す (eikyōryoku ga masu)
General Quantity
- 時間を増す (jikan o masu)
- 量を増す (ryō o masu)
- 数を増す (kazu o masu)
Conversation Starters
"最近、何かあなたのスキルで増したことはありますか？"
"この新しいプロジェクトで、チームの士気は増しましたか？"
"ますます人気が出ているものについて話しましょう。"
"将来、どのような分野で需要が増すと思いますか？"
"あなたの趣味で、最近情熱が増したものは何ですか？"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time when your understanding of a topic increased significantly.
Write about something you hope will increase in your life in the coming year.
Reflect on a situation where your anxiety increased, and how you dealt with it.
How has technology increased the possibilities in your daily life?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문増す often implies an action or a deliberate increase (transitive use with を), while 増える usually describes something increasing naturally or on its own (intransitive use with が). For example, 'I increased my savings (貯金を増した - chokin o mashita)' vs. 'My savings increased (貯金が増えた - chokin ga fueta)'.
Yes, absolutely! You can say things like 緊張が増す (kinchō ga masu - tension increases) or 喜びが増す (yorokobi ga masu - joy increases).
ますます is an adverb meaning 'more and more' or 'increasingly'. It's used to emphasize a continuous increase, like 'He is getting more and more famous' (彼はますます有名になっている - Kare wa masumasu yūmei ni natte iru).
Yes, it can be. For example, you can talk about increasing problems (問題が増す - mondai ga masu) or anxiety (不安が増す - fuan ga masu). The context will tell you if the increase is positive or negative.
Common nouns include 売上 (sales), 時間 (time), 力 (strength), 人気 (popularity), 関心 (interest), 影響力 (influence), and 不安 (anxiety).
It's pronounced 'mah-ss', with the final 'u' sound often being very soft or almost silent.
Yes, the most common noun form is 増加 (zōka), which means 'increase' or 'growth', often used in statistics and formal contexts.
While it means 'to increase', it's not typically used for the direct action of 'adding' one item to another like 'to put'. For adding, verbs like 加える (kuwaeru) or 足す (tasu) are more common.
셀프 테스트
私の本は___増した。
たくさん means 'a lot' or 'many', fitting the idea of increasing books.
「人気が増す」とはどういう意味ですか？
人気が高くなる means 'popularity becomes higher', which is the meaning of 増す in this context.
「売上を増す」は、売上が減るという意味です。
売上を増す means to increase sales, the opposite of decreasing.
Word
뜻
These are common nouns that can be increased using the verb 増す.
The correct sentence is '彼はますます元気になった' (He became more and more energetic).
この新しい計画は、会社の利益を___増すだろう。
大幅に means 'significantly' or 'greatly', fitting the context of increasing profit.
「増すばかり」という表現は、どのような状況で使われますか？
増すばかり means 'only increasing', implying a continuous and often unstoppable rise.
Use the word 増す to describe an increase in a feeling.
This sentence correctly uses 増す to describe an increase in the feeling of anxiety.
増え続ける人口問題に対処するため、持続可能な開発計画の策定が___となっている。
急務 (kyūmu) means 'urgent task', fitting the context of dealing with population problems.
Translate: 'The amplified media coverage can exacerbate public fear.'
This translation accurately captures the meaning using 増す for 'exacerbate' in the context of fear.
점수: /10
Summary
増す is your go-to verb for describing anything that grows or becomes more, from profits to feelings!
- Means 'to increase' or 'to become greater'.
- Used for quantity, size, intensity, and abstract concepts.
- Often paired with the particle を (o) for direct objects.
- Related to natural growth (増える) and formal terms (増加する).
Master the Kanji!
Focus on the kanji 増 itself. Break it down: 田 (field) + water strokes = growth from farming. This visual helps remember the core meaning of increase.
Action vs. Natural Growth
Remember: 増す often implies an action or deliberate increase (e.g., 'We increased production'). Use 増える for natural growth (e.g., 'The population increased').
Economic Focus
Japanese culture often emphasizes growth and improvement. You'll see 増す frequently in news about the economy, business, and societal development.
Particle Power: を vs. が
Pay attention! When *you* are the one causing the increase, use を (e.g., 売上を増す). When something increases *by itself*, use が (e.g., 人気が増す).
Related Content
health 관련 단어
異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
B1Acupuncture and moxibustion; traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute
急性の
B1Acute; sudden and severe.
