Structure
ますます + Phrase
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Standard
使用域
一般
About ますます
When using the adverb ますます, it will have the meaning of 'increasingly', 'more and more', or even 'to keep (A)ing'. It is used to emphasize continuous trends, and will regularly be seen at the beginning of a sentence.
- 良いにおいだね。この匂いを嗅いでるとますますお腹が空いてくる。That smells good, doesn't it? I am going to get more and more hungry if I keep smelling it.
- 彼女はますます友達を失っていっている。She is losing more and more of her friends.
- 年を取るにつれて、益々目が悪くなっていくよ。As I get older, my eyes are getting worse (and worse).
Fun Fact
Despite sometimes being seen as 益々, this expression originally comes from the stacking of 増す, a う - Verb meaning 'to increase'. Due to this, ますます is most often used to highlight verbs that indicate some sort of change, or with adjectives that can increase in intensity.- 毎日日本語の勉強をしているので、ますます日本語が話せるようになってきた。Because I am studying Japanese everyday, I am able to speak more and more.
- 冬になってから、ますます涼しくなった。Since becoming winter, it has become more and more brisk.
Caution
ますます is sometimes translated as 'less and less', but this situation is still actually considered as 'increasing' (increasingly negative).- 仕事が忙しくて、ますます子供と過ごす時間が減っていく。Because work is so busy, I have less and less time to spend with my children.
- コロナのせいで観光客がますます減って行く。Because of Covid, the number of tourists becoming less and less.
Synonyms
Examples
水不足がますます深刻になってきている。
The water shortage is growing more and more severe.
彼はますます信用を失っている。
He is losing more and more faith.
時間が経つと共に、ますます頭痛がひどくなってきた。
As time goes on, my headache gets worse and worse.
益々寒さが厳しくなってまいりました。
It's growing increasingly colder.
父は60を過ぎ、益々元気になっているからすごい。
My dad is past 60, and he is getting more and more energetic. It's amazing.
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When and When not to use ますます
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ますます – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
s1212z
About 4 years ago
Looks like 一方だ can behave adverbially with a very similar meaning to ますます:
-ますます+phrase+なる
-phrase(w/ なる)+いっぽうだCould you say this?
ますます景気けいきは悪わるくなるから、ボーナスは出でないかもしれないですよ。
Original BP entry:
景気けいきは悪わるくなる 一方いっぽうだ から、ボーナスは出でないかもしれないですよ。
mrnoone
About 4 years ago
Sorry for the slow, asnwer
ますます景気は悪くなるから、ボーナスは出ないかもしれないですよ。
景気は悪くなる 一方だ から、ボーナスは出ないかもしれないですよ。Yeah, both are correct. Though ますます version sounds more casual.
Cheers,
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