1.
to increase, to grow
For quantity, number, or amount to become greater. The intransitive form.
TRANSITIVITY: 自動詞 (intransitive). Pair: 増やす (transitive, to increase something). Pattern: Xが増える (X increases).
ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing state. 増えている = 'is increasing' or 'has increased.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 人口が増える (population increases)
- 体重が増える (weight increases)
- 売り上げが増える (sales increase)
- どんどん増える (increase steadily)
CONTRAST:
- 増える (intransitive): X increases
- 増やす (transitive): increase X
OPPOSITE: 減る (to decrease)
Example pair:
- 人口が増えた (Population increased)
- 売り上げを増やす (Increase sales)