増える
fueru[ɸɯ̟e̞ɾɯ̟]
The English verb "increase" can be translated into Japanese as 増える (fueru), 増加する or 増大する.
Meaning: become larger (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 増える | fueru | [ɸɯ̟e̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 増加する | zōka-suru | |
| 増大する | zōdai-suru |
These terms are used when something becomes larger. The noun forms 増加 and 増大 can also be used to refer to the act of increasing or the increased amount itself, with 増加量 specifically referring to an increased amount.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, you may encounter the contracted form 増えちゃった, which is a contraction of 増えてしまった. This specific form adds a nuance of surprise or implies that the increase was unintentional.
How do you pronounce it?
fueru
Did you know?
- While 増える describes something increasing on its own, Japanese uses a different verb, 増やす, when a person actively increases something.
- The verb 増える is a descendant of the Classical Japanese verb 増ゆ, which belonged to an older, more complex conjugation pattern called 'lower bigrade'.
- The verb 増える is often used to describe the 'increase' of a family when a new baby is born, rather than just numerical growth.
Examples in context
- 除草剤耐性品種でなぜ収量が増えるのか？Why do yields increase with herbicide-resistant varieties?This sentence is useful for discussing why yields with the form 増える might increase.Tatoeba #74412 by fcbond, translation #329308 by fcbond
- この季節は虫が増える。Kono kisetsu wa mushi ga fueru.Insects increase during this season.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “increase” translations and entries 増える, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 増える, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
