增加

Using 增加 is simple and follows a basic pattern. Usually, you put it before the noun you want to grow. For example, 增加压力 means to increase pressure. You can also use it with percentages or numbers. If your salary goes up, you say 增加百分之十. It feels very natural in both speaking and writing. Just remember it is a verb that likes to have an object after it.

Use this when you want to sound clear and direct. It works perfectly in a business meeting when discussing profits. It also works when talking to a trainer about increasing your workout intensity. You will see it on the news constantly. It is great for describing trends. If you are texting a friend about your workload, this is your word. It is the safe, reliable choice for any 'upward' situation.

Don't use 增加 for physical height or age. You wouldn't say you 'increased' in years to mean you got older. For getting taller, use 长高. Also, avoid it for simple addition in math class. In that case, just use 加. It is also a bit too heavy for small, trivial things. You don't 'increase' the salt in your soup; you just 'add' it using 加 or 放.

In Chinese culture, growth and 'adding' are almost always seen as positive. There is a deep-seated love for accumulation, whether it is wealth or knowledge. The character 增 actually has a 'clay' or 'earth' radical on the left. This suggests building something up layer by layer. It reflects a traditional value of steady, incremental progress. It is not about a sudden explosion, but a reliable build-up over time.

If you want to sound more formal, you might use 增长. This is specifically for economic or statistical growth. If you are talking about adding a specific feature or item, you might use 添加. For a more casual 'add one more,' people often just say 多加. But if you stick with 增加, you will be understood 100% of the time. It is the ultimate 'all-rounder' for your vocabulary toolkit.