Translation guide
The English phrase "add up" has several distinct meanings: to calculate a total, to make sense or be logical, and to accumulate gradually. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each.
To find the sum of numbers or amounts.
The standard verb for calculating a total. Used in both spoken and written contexts.
経費を合計してください。
Please add up the expenses.
Literally 'do addition'. More casual and often used in everyday conversation, especially for simple arithmetic.
To be consistent, plausible, or believable. Often used in negative or question form.
Means 'to be consistent' or 'to add up' in the sense of a story or explanation making sense. Very common.
彼の話はつじつまが合わない。
His story doesn't add up.
To increase in amount over time, often of small amounts becoming significant.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to accumulate' or 'to pile up'. Used for both physical things and abstract amounts.
Do not use 足す (たす, to add) or 合計する (ごうけいする) when you mean 'to make sense'. These only refer to mathematical addition. Use つじつまが合う or 筋が通る instead.
彼の説明はつじつまが合わない。
His explanation doesn't add up.
Add up all these numbers.
To tally or aggregate, often used for data, votes, or survey results. Slightly formal.
アンケート結果を集計する。
Add up the survey results.
Literally 'the logic passes through'. Means something is logical or reasonable.
その説明は筋が通っている。
That explanation adds up.
Means 'to be reasonable' or 'to stand to reason'. Somewhat formal.
彼の主張は道理に合わない。
His argument doesn't add up.
小さな出費が積もって大金になった。
Small expenses added up to a large sum.
Intransitive verb emphasizing layering or building up over time. Often used for efforts or experiences.
努力が積み重なって成功につながった。
Efforts added up and led to success.
Proverb: 'Even dust, when piled up, becomes a mountain.' Equivalent to 'many a mickle makes a muckle' or 'small amounts add up'.
塵も積もれば山となるから、毎日少しずつ貯金しよう。
Small amounts add up, so let's save a little every day.