Meaning and Usage
"足す" (たす) primarily means "to add" or "to supplement." It is commonly used when adding numbers, quantities, or ingredients. It can also mean to add something missing or to increase an amount.
Common Collocations
- 〜を足す: to add something (e.g., sugar, salt, numbers)
- 時間を足す: to add more time
- 数字を足す: to add numbers
Usage Notes
"足す" is a versatile verb used in both casual and polite contexts (with 〜てください for requests). It often implies adding something to complete or improve a situation. Be careful not to confuse it with "増やす" (ふやす), which means "to increase" but often implies a larger or more general increase rather than simply adding.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "足す" with "加える" (くわえる), which also means "to add." "加える" is often more formal or used in written language, while "足す" is more common in everyday conversation.