Usage of 增加
The verb 增加 (zēngjiā) means "to increase" or "to raise" in quantity, degree, or intensity. It is commonly used in formal and informal contexts to describe growth in numbers, amounts, or levels.
Common contexts
It often appears in discussions about business, government policies, production, or any scenario where something is quantitatively expanded. For example, 增加员工 (increase employees), 增加投资 (increase investment), or 增加产量 (increase output).
Collocations and patterns
- 增加数量: increase quantity, used when specifying the amount.
- 增加投资: increase investment, common in economic or financial contexts.
- 增加压力: increase pressure, used metaphorically.
Nuances
When using 增加, the focus is on a measurable increase. It differs from 加 (jiā), which can mean "to add" but is often used for adding discrete items or ingredients. 增加 implies a more general or larger-scale increase.
Common confusion
Avoid confusing 增加 with 提高 (tígāo), which means "to raise" but often refers to improving quality or level rather than quantity. 增加 is strictly about quantity or amount.