Meaning
The kanji 増 (zou, fu.eru, fu.yasu, ma.su) primarily means increase, growth, addition, or multiplication. It expresses the idea of something becoming larger in quantity, number, or intensity.
Its etymology helps us understand this meaning. The character is made up of two main parts: the radical 土 (tsuchi, earth) on the left, and 曽 (sou) on the right. 曽 acts as a phonetic component but also carries a semantic nuance of 'layered' or 'piled up'.
The radical 土 visually suggests a mound or accumulation of earth, making the concept tangible. When combined with 曽, which hints at repeated actions or layers building upon each other, the kanji clearly illustrates how something accumulates and grows. Picture a pile of earth (土) that has been built up (曽) over time, steadily increasing in size and volume. This visual connection reinforces the meaning of 'increase' or 'add'.
The kanji 増 has 14 strokes and is taught in the 6th grade in Japanese elementary schools. It's a key character for understanding a wide range of vocabulary related to quantity and growth, often appearing at the JLPT N3 level.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The main On'yomi for 増 is ゾウ (ZOU). This reading is typically used when 増 appears as part of a compound word (熟語, jukugo), especially in more formal or technical contexts. It often refers to a general increase or a specific action of adding.
- 増加 (zouka) — An increase, rise, or growth. This term is commonly used for quantitative increases.
例：人口の増加 (jinkou no zouka) — an increase in population
- 増量 (zouryou) — An increase in quantity or amount, often indicating more contents on product packaging.
例：増量パック (zouryou pakku) — a larger quantity pack
- 増進 (zoushin) — Promotion or advancement, often used for health or welfare.
例：健康の増進 (kenkou no zoushin) — promotion of health
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kanji 増 has several Kun'yomi readings, primarily functioning as verbs. These readings are used when the kanji stands alone or is followed by okurigana (送り仮名), connecting it directly to native Japanese vocabulary.
- ふ.える (fu.eru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning "to increase," "to multiply," or "to grow." It describes something increasing naturally or on its own, without a direct agent.
例：人数が増える (ninzuu ga fueru) — the number of people increases
例：貯金が増える (chokin ga fueru) — savings increase
- ふ.やす (fu.yasu) — This is a transitive verb meaning "to increase," "to add to," or "to multiply (something)." It implies an active agent causing the increase.
例：写真を増やす (shashin wo fuyasu) — to add more photos
例：売上を増やす (uriage wo fuyasu) — to increase sales
- ま.す (ma.su) — This reading is less common as a standalone verb in modern Japanese. However, it appears in specific contexts, often indicating a gradual increase or a deepening of a state. It can also be used as a suffix to other verbs.
例：興味を増す (kyoumi wo masu) — to deepen one's interest
例：増し増し (mashimashi) — a progressively increasing amount (colloquial, often in ramen orders)
Common Words & Compounds
To fully grasp 増, it's helpful to see it in compound words. Here are some examples, grouped by theme to assist your learning.
General Increase & Decrease:
増加 (zouka) — increase, rise, growth
増減 (zougen) — increase and decrease, fluctuation
増大 (zoudai) — enlargement, increase in size or magnitude
倍増 (baizou) — doubling, twofold increase
Quantity & Amount:
増量 (zouryou) — increase in quantity or amount
増税 (zouzei) — tax increase
増額 (zougaku) — increase in amount (of money)
増収 (zoushuu) — increased income or revenue
Growth & Development:
増殖 (zoushoku) — multiplication, proliferation, reproduction (e.g., of cells, bacteria)
増進 (zoushin) — promotion, improvement (e.g., health, welfare)
増強 (zoukyou) — reinforcement, strengthening (e.g., military, immunity)
Addition & Expansion:
増員 (zouin) — increase in personnel or staff
増築 (zouchiku) — extension, addition to a building
増刷 (zousatsu) — additional print, reprint (of books, magazines)
増補 (zouho) — supplement, addition (e.g., to a book, collection)
Verbal Forms:
増える (fueru) — to increase, to multiply (intransitive)
増やす (fuyasu) — to increase, to add to (transitive)
興味を増す (kyoumi wo masu) — to deepen one's interest
Example Sentences
最近、体重が少し増えました。
Saikin, taijū ga sukoshi fuemashita.
Recently, my weight has increased a little.
会社の利益が去年より大幅に増加した。
Kaisha no rieki ga kyonen yori ōhaba ni zōka shita.
The company's profit increased significantly compared to last year.
彼女はスキルを増やすために、新しい習い事を始めた。
Kanojo wa sukiru o fuyasu tame ni, atarashii naraigoto o hajimeta.
She started a new lesson to increase her skills.
人口が増え続けている都市では、住居が不足している。
Jinkō ga fuetsuzukete iru toshi de wa, jūkyo ga fusoku shite iru.
In cities where the population continues to increase, housing is insufficient.
健康を増進するために、毎日運動することが大切だ。
Kenkō o zōshin suru tame ni, mainichi undō suru koto ga taisetsu da.
To promote health, it is important to exercise every day.
最近は海外からの観光客がますます増えている。
Saikin wa kaigai kara no kankōkyaku ga masumasu fuete iru.
Recently, the number of tourists from overseas is increasing more and more.
この工場は生産量を増やすために、新しい機械を導入した。
Kono kōjō wa seisanryō o fuyasu tame ni, atarashii kikai o dōnyū shita.
This factory introduced new machinery to increase production volume.
会社は業務拡大のために、増員を計画している。
Kaisha wa gyōmu kakudai no tame ni, zōin o keikaku shite iru.
The company is planning to increase its staff for business expansion.
彼は読書量を増やすことで、知識を深めている。
Kare wa dokushoryō o fuyasu koto de, chishiki o fukamete iru.
He is deepening his knowledge by increasing his reading volume.
来月から消費税が増税される予定だ。
Raigetsu kara shōhizei ga zōzei sareru yotei da.
The consumption tax is scheduled to be increased from next month.
Memory Tip
To remember 増, consider its components: the left radical is 土 (earth/soil), and the right part 曽 can be seen as representing something layered or piled up. Imagine a gardener diligently adding layer upon layer of fresh soil (土) to a plant pot, causing the soil level to steadily increase. Alternatively, visualize a small mound of earth (土) growing larger as more soil is repeatedly added, causing it to 曽 (pile up). This imagery of building up or accumulating earth clearly connects to the meaning of "increase" or "add," helping you recall the kanji's meaning.