Translation guide
The English word 'growth' covers physical increase, economic expansion, personal development, and biological processes. Japanese uses different words depending on what is growing and in what context.
To talk about growth of an economy, company, sales, or market.
The most common word for growth in economic, business, and organizational contexts. Also used for personal development.
経済の成長が続いている。
Economic growth is continuing.
会社の成長は目覚ましい。
The company's growth is remarkable.
Often used for growth in numbers, such as sales, profits, or market share. Implies an increase or expansion.
売上の伸びが鈍化した。
Sales growth has slowed down.
Emphasizes expansion in scale or scope, such as business expansion or market growth.
事業の拡大を計画している。
We are planning business expansion.
To talk about a person's emotional, intellectual, or spiritual growth.
Used for personal growth, maturity, and development of character or skills.
彼は人間として大きく成長した。
He has grown a lot as a person.
この経験が私の成長につながった。
This experience led to my personal growth.
Often used for psychological or cognitive development, especially in children.
To talk about something getting bigger, such as a plant, animal, or body part.
General term for growth of living things.
植物の成長には日光が必要だ。
Sunlight is necessary for plant growth.
Specifically refers to the growth and development of plants or animals under certain conditions.
Means increase or enlargement, often used for size, volume, or quantity. More formal.
To talk about growth of body parts or cells.
Can be used for biological growth in general.
髪の成長が早い。
My hair grows fast.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to grow longer', commonly used for hair, nails, or plants.
爪が伸びた。
My nails have grown.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to grow' (hair, feathers, teeth, plants). Emphasizes emergence.
To refer to an abnormal mass of tissue.
Medical term for tumor or neoplasm.
良性の腫瘍が見つかった。
A benign growth was found.
General term for a lump, bump, or growth on the skin. Less clinical.
成長 (seichou) is general growth in size, maturity, or economy. 発達 (hattatsu) emphasizes functional development, like cognitive or motor skills. For personal growth, 成長 is more common.
子供の成長は早い。
Children grow up fast.
子供の発達には個人差がある。
There are individual differences in children's development.
成長 implies sustained, organic growth. For a temporary spike or increase, use 増加 (zouka) or 上昇 (joushou) instead.
子供の言語発達は早い。
Children's language development is rapid.
この土壌は作物の生育に適している。
This soil is suitable for crop growth.
腫瘍の増大が見られた。
Growth of the tumor was observed.
A beard has started to grow.
首にできものができた。
I have a growth on my neck.