Translation guide
Expresses the idea of something increasing or expanding quickly in size, number, scale, or intensity. Japanese uses different words depending on what is growing—economy, population, plants, business, etc.
Describing rapid growth of an economy, company, market, or industry.
The most direct and common term for rapid growth in business, economic, or organizational contexts. Neutral and widely used.
その会社は急成長を遂げた。
That company achieved rapid growth.
The IT industry is growing rapidly.
Specifically refers to high economic growth, often used for Japan's post-war economic miracle. Slightly formal.
日本は高度成長期を経験した。
Japan experienced a period of rapid economic growth.
Emphasizes rapid expansion in scale or scope, often for markets or business operations.
海外市場が急拡大している。
Overseas markets are expanding rapidly.
Literally 'grow at a rapid pace.' Used in business news or reports.
新興企業が急ピッチで成長している。
Startups are growing at a rapid pace.
Describing a rapid rise in population, numbers, or statistics.
Means a sudden or rapid increase in numbers. Common for population, cases, users, etc.
都市の人口が急増している。
The city's population is growing rapidly.
感染者数が急増した。
The number of infected people surged.
A more descriptive phrase meaning 'increase rapidly/drastically.' Slightly more conversational than 急増.
最近、観光客が急激に増えている。
Recently, the number of tourists has been increasing rapidly.
Describing plants, animals, or children growing quickly in size.
Can also be used for biological growth, though less common than for business. Neutral.
この植物は急成長する。
This plant grows rapidly.
Describes healthy, vigorous growth, often for children or plants. Has a positive, natural nuance.
子供たちがすくすく育っている。
The children are growing up quickly and healthily.
Implies rapid, noticeable growth in height or length, often for plants or children's height.
ひまわりがぐんぐん伸びている。
The sunflowers are growing rapidly.
Describing rapid growth of non-physical things like influence, popularity, or tension.
Works for abstract expansion as well, like influence or reach.
SNSの影響力が急拡大している。
The influence of social media is growing rapidly.
Means 'rise rapidly,' used for tension, interest, awareness, etc.
緊張が急速に高まっている。
Tension is rapidly growing.
The phrase 'rapid growth' cannot always be translated word-for-word. For example, 'rapid growth of a city' is not 都市の急成長 but more naturally 都市の急拡大 or 急激な発展 depending on context. Choose the term that matches the type of growth.
急成長 (kyūseichō) is for growth in scale, value, or development (companies, economies). 急増 (kyūzō) is for a surge in countable numbers (population, cases). 急拡大 (kyūkakudai) is for expansion in area, scope, or influence (markets, power).