Translation guide
Expresses a gradual increase in degree, frequency, or quantity. Japanese uses adverbs, verb forms, and set phrases rather than a single direct equivalent.
Describing something that becomes increasingly [adjective] or [adverb] over time.
Adverb meaning 'increasingly' or 'more and more'. Used with adjectives, verbs, and nouns. Neutral and widely applicable.
日本語がますます上手になりました。
Your Japanese has gotten better and better.
この町はますますにぎやかになっている。
This town is becoming more and more lively.
Adverb implying steady, often rapid progression. Common in spoken Japanese. Can be used for both positive and negative changes.
新しいビルがどんどん建っている。
New buildings are going up more and more.
寒さがどんどん厳しくなってきた。
The cold has been getting more and more severe.
Adverb meaning 'even more' or 'all the more'. Emphasizes a noticeable increase beyond an already high level. Slightly formal.
今日は一段と寒いですね。
It's even colder today, isn't it?
Adverb meaning 'more and more' or 'at last'. Often used when a long-anticipated situation intensifies or reaches a climax.
台風がいよいよ近づいてきた。
The typhoon is getting closer and closer.
Expressing that the amount or count of something is growing.
Also works for quantities. 'More and more people/things'.
観光客がますます増えている。
The number of tourists is increasing more and more.
Emphasizes rapid accumulation or increase in number.
Literally 'more and more many'. Used before nouns. Slightly formal.
ますます多くの人がこの問題に関心を持っている。
More and more people are interested in this issue.
Describing doing something more often over time.
Used with verbs to indicate increasing frequency.
彼はますます遅刻するようになった。
He has been coming late more and more often.
Implies a rapid or unchecked increase in frequency.
Grammar pattern: 'the more [A], the more [B]'. Expresses proportional increase.
練習すればするほど上手になる。
The more you practice, the better you get.
Describing a process that slowly becomes more pronounced.
Adverb meaning 'gradually' or 'little by little'. Often used for slow, steady change. Can translate 'more and more' in context.
だんだん暖かくなってきた。
It's getting warmer and warmer.
Formal/literary adverb for gradual change. 'More and more' in a step-by-step sense.
Both mean 'more and more', but ますます is neutral and can be used in any register, while どんどん emphasizes speed and is more colloquial. どんどん can also imply a sense of 'without stopping'.
値段がますます上がっている。
Prices are going up more and more. (neutral)
値段がどんどん上がっている。
Prices are shooting up more and more. (rapid, colloquial)
Do not translate 'more and more' word-for-word as もっともっと. While もっともっと can be used in casual speech to mean 'even more', it does not convey the gradual increase of 'more and more' and sounds childish or emphatic rather than descriptive.
メールがどんどん届く。
Emails keep coming in more and more.
最近、どんどん外食するようになった。
Lately, I've been eating out more and more.
霧が次第に濃くなった。
The fog grew thicker and thicker.