ますます

• Reading: ますます
• Romaji: masumasu
• Pronunciation: /ma.sɯ.ma.sɯ/

Meaning

Increasingly; more and more. Expresses a continuing trend that intensifies over time.

An adverb indicating progressive change in one direction. Used with both positive trends (ますます元気になる — getting healthier and healthier) and negative ones (ますます悪くなる — getting worse and worse). Often appears in formal writing and speeches. The kanji form 益々 exists but hiragana is standard in modern usage.

Examples

1. 日本語の勉強がますます楽しくなってきました。 Studying Japanese has become more and more enjoyable.
2. 最近はますます寒くなってきた。 It's been getting colder and colder lately.
3. 練習すればするほど、ますます上手になりますよ。 The more you practice, the better you'll get.

Usage Guide

Context: trends, weather, progress

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Written 益々 in kanji, where 益 (eki/masu) means benefit or increase. The reduplication emphasises the progressive, intensifying nature of the change.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal