〜につれて

〜につれて is a conjunction meaning as / in proportion to, used to connect clauses and express logical relationships between ideas. Japanese has a rich set of conjunctions that convey subtle differences in meaning — contrast, cause, concession, addition — and using them correctly makes your Japanese flow naturally.

This is an advanced pattern found primarily in formal writing, news articles, business Japanese, and academic texts.

When to Use#

• When one change happens in proportion to another
• When a gradual shift causes a corresponding effect

When NOT to Use#

• In very casual speech — a simpler expression is usually more natural

Example Sentences#

• グローバル化が進むにつれて、国家間の文化交流が深まります。 — As globalization advances, cultural exchange between nations deepens.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

Common Mistakes#

1. Using 〜につれて interchangeably with 〜に伴い — These patterns are similar but not identical. 〜に伴い (along with / as ~ occurs) may be preferred in different contexts or registers.
2. Using 〜につれて in casual conversation — This pattern sounds overly formal or literary in casual speech. Reserve it for formal writing, presentations, or situations that call for elevated language.
3. Direct translation from English — The concept expressed by 〜につれて may not map one-to-one with its English translation. Focus on understanding the Japanese usage through example sentences rather than relying on the English gloss.

Related Patterns#

• 〜に伴い (along with / as ~ occurs) — Similar