How to Say "Increasingly" in Japanese

ますます

The English phrase increasingly is translated into Japanese as ますます.

The adverb ますます is used to describe an increase in amount or intensity. It can be used to modify both verbs and adjectives.

Meaning: increasing in amount or intensity (adv)

Which one should you use?

While ますます describes a continuous increase in degree, it is distinct from どんどん (don-don), which emphasizes the speed or rapid pace of a change.

The adverb ますます is often used with verbs or adjectives to indicate a continuous increase in degree or intensity.

The word ますます is a reduplication of the verb 増す, which means 'to increase'. In Japanese, repeating a word like this often transforms a simple action into a descriptive state of continuous growth.
In formal letters or traditional greetings, ますます is frequently used in set phrases to wish for the recipient's 'increasing' prosperity or health, making it a staple of polite social ritual.
There is a subtle distinction in Japanese between ますます and だんだん. While ますます focuses on the increasing intensity, だんだん describes a step-by-step progression, similar to climbing stairs.

ますます忙しくなっています。
I am increasingly busy.
ますます高くなるでしょう。
It will increasingly become more expensive.
彼の意見は一層重要になりました。
His opinion has become increasingly important.
問題は一層深刻化しています。
The problem is increasingly becoming more serious.
だんだん寒くなってきましたね。
It has gradually gotten colder, hasn't it?
難しさがだんだん分かってきた。
I have started to increasingly understand the difficulty.
ますます美味しくなってきた。
It has become increasingly delicious.
ますます好きになってきた。
I have increasingly started to like it more.
ますます寒くなってきました。
It has become increasingly cold.
ますます寒くなってきましたね。
masumasu samuku natte kimashita ne.
It is becoming increasingly cold, isn't it?
最近、ますます忙しくなりました。
saikin, masumasu isogashiku narimashita.
I have become increasingly busy lately.
技術はますます進歩しています。
gijutsu wa masumasu shinpo shite imasu.
Technology is increasingly advancing.

Two friends are discussing a hobby they both share.

大翔 Hiroto

日本語の勉強はどう？
Nihongo no benkyou wa dou?
How is your Japanese study going?
美咲 Misaki

ますます楽しくなってきました。
Masumasu tanoshiku natte kimashita.
It has become increasingly enjoyable.
大翔 Hiroto

それは良かったね、美咲。
Sore wa yokatta ne, Misaki.
That's great, Misaki.
美咲 Misaki

大翔さんも頑張ってくださいね。
Hiroto-san mo ganbatte kudasai ne.
Please keep doing your best too, Hiroto.

Sources

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