Meaning and Usage
"増やす" is a transitive verb meaning "to increase" or "to add to" something. It implies an intentional action by the subject to make the quantity or amount of something larger.
Common Contexts
You will often see "増やす" used in contexts related to business (e.g., increasing sales), health (e.g., increasing muscle mass), social relationships (e.g., increasing friends), or any situation where a quantity is deliberately raised.
Collocations and Patterns
- 売り上げを増やす: to increase sales, common in business contexts.
- 筋肉を増やす: to increase muscle, often used in fitness or health.
- 友達の数を増やす: to increase the number of friends, social context.
Register and Nuance
"増やす" is neutral and commonly used in both formal and informal situations. It is a straightforward verb without strong emotional connotations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "増やす" (transitive) with "増える" (intransitive). Remember, "増やす" requires a direct object that is being increased, while "増える" describes something increasing by itself.