Translation guide
The English verb 'grow' covers several distinct meanings: increasing in size (people, plants, things), cultivating plants, increasing in amount or intensity, and developing personal qualities. Japanese uses different verbs for each, and some uses require specific patterns.
To become bigger or taller naturally over time.
Intransitive verb for living things growing up or developing. Focuses on the natural process.
子供は早く育つ。
Children grow quickly.
この植物は日陰でもよく育つ。
This plant grows well even in the shade.
More formal or abstract 'grow/develop', used for people, animals, plants, and also for economic growth.
子供は心身ともに成長する。
Children grow both mentally and physically.
Literally 'become big'. Very common and natural for any physical growth, including non-living things.
犬が急に大きくなった。
The dog grew suddenly.
To raise or nurture plants intentionally.
Transitive verb for raising plants, children, or animals. Implies care and effort.
祖母は庭で野菜を育てている。
My grandmother grows vegetables in her garden.
バラを育てるのは難しい。
Growing roses is difficult.
Formal/technical term for cultivating crops or plants, often on a larger scale.
この地域では米を栽培している。
They grow rice in this region.
To become greater in number, level, or strength.
Intransitive verb for increase in number or quantity. Used for countable things, population, etc.
人口が増えている。
The population is growing.
最近、仕事の量が増えた。
My workload has grown recently.
Formal 'increase/grow', often used in news or reports.
需要が急激に増加した。
Demand grew rapidly.
Intransitive verb for abstract things like feelings, tension, or awareness growing stronger.
To gradually start to have a particular feeling or characteristic.
Pattern meaning 'come to ~', used to express a gradual change in state or ability. Attach to verb dictionary form.
彼はだんだん自信を持つようになった。
He grew more confident.
日本語が話せるようになった。
I grew able to speak Japanese.
For i-adjectives, replace い with くなる to mean 'become/grow ~'.
だんだん寒くなった。
It grew colder.
For na-adjectives and nouns, add になる to mean 'become/grow ~'.
彼は有名になった。
He grew famous.
To let hair, beard, or nails become longer, often intentionally.
Transitive verb for letting something grow longer (hair, beard, nails).
彼はひげを伸ばしている。
He is growing a beard.
髪を伸ばしたい。
I want to grow my hair.
Intransitive verb for hair, feathers, plants sprouting or growing naturally.
To expand in scale, profit, or influence.
Used for economic or business growth.
会社は急速に成長した。
The company grew rapidly.
Emphasizes expansion in scale or scope.
事業を拡大する。
To grow the business.
育つ (そだつ) is intransitive: something grows by itself. 育てる (そだてる) is transitive: someone raises or grows something. Compare: 花が育つ (The flower grows) vs 花を育てる (I grow flowers).
育つ is only for living things. For objects getting bigger, use 大きくなる. For abstract growth, use 増える or 高まる.
When 'grow' means a gradual change in state or ability, 〜ようになる is often the most natural choice. It attaches to the dictionary form of verbs.
期待が高まる。
Expectations grow.
A beard is starting to grow.