To Increase
To Grow
intransitive verb, transitive verb, godan verb
It's another verb with the kanji 増! This one means to increase too! But!
Just like 増える, this is when something is just increasing on its own. You can use this word to talk about an increase in number, quantity, or degree, but it’s more literary and less common than 増える, except when referring to an increase in degree.
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You haven't learned this reading yet so here's a mnemonic to help you:
What increases with time? Your love for your mama (ま)! Your love for her will grow and grow the older you get! I love you, mama!
雨がふって川の水かさが増しました。
The rain caused the river's water level to increase.
最近、日本語教育業界でトーフグの勢いが増したとウワサになっています。
These days, a rumor that Tofugu is growing a lot is going around in the Japanese language education industry.
砂糖でさらに甘みが増しますよ。
Sugar will make it much sweeter, you know.