増す

§ Understanding 増す (masu)

増す (ます, masu) is a versatile Japanese verb that generally means 'to increase,' 'to grow,' or 'to become greater in quantity or intensity.' It's a B1 level word, which means you'll encounter it often in various contexts. Think of it as a go-to word when something is getting bigger, stronger, or more numerous.

Let's break down some examples to get a clearer picture:

Hint

The population increases.

Hint

My interest grew/increased.

§ Similar Words and When to Use 増す

Japanese has several words that can mean 'to increase,' and it's easy to get them mixed up. Let's look at 増す alongside its common alternatives:

• 増える (fueru): This is probably the most common and general word for 'to increase' or 'to grow.' It's often used when something increases naturally or spontaneously, without a direct agent performing the action.

  貯金が増える。
  (Chokin ga fueru.)

  Hint

  Savings increase.

  While 増す can also be used here, 増える often feels more natural for a general, unprompted increase.

• 増やす (fuyasu): This is the transitive counterpart to 増える. It means 'to increase something' or 'to add to something' – implying an active effort by someone or something to make it increase.

  野菜を増やす。
  (Yasai o fuyasu.)

  Hint

  To increase (the amount of) vegetables.

  You wouldn't typically use 増す in this way with a direct object. 増す usually describes an internal increase or an increase that just happens.

• 高まる (takamaru): This verb specifically means 'to rise,' 'to be heightened,' or 'to be enhanced.' It often refers to abstract concepts like emotions, expectations, or awareness.

  期待が高まる。
  (Kitai ga takamaru.)

  Hint

  Expectations rise/are heightened.

  You could say 期待が増す (Kitai ga masu) to mean expectations increase, but 高まる often carries a nuance of reaching a higher point or intensity for things like emotions.

• 増加する (zouka suru): This is a suru-verb meaning 'to increase' or 'to grow.' It's often used in more formal or statistical contexts, especially when talking about numbers, statistics, or quantifiable data.

  売上が増加した。
  (Uriage ga zouka shita.)

  Hint

  Sales increased.

  You could also use 売上が増した (Uriage ga mashita), but 増加する gives it a more formal, report-like feel.

§ Key Differences for 増す

Use 増す when you want to emphasize a general increase in quantity or intensity, often something that grows intrinsically or without direct, intentional manipulation from an outside force. It has a slightly more literary or formal feel than 増える, but is still very commonly used. It can apply to abstract concepts like feelings or concrete things like numbers.

Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:

増える (fueru)

General, often spontaneous increase (intransitive).

増やす (fuyasu)

To actively increase something (transitive).

増す (masu)

To increase in quantity or intensity, often intrinsically; slightly more formal/literary than 増える.

高まる (takamaru)

To rise, be heightened (often for abstract concepts).

増加する (zouka suru)

Formal/statistical increase.

Practice using 増す in sentences, and pay attention to how native speakers use it in different contexts. This will help you develop a natural feel for its nuances.