Understanding "递增" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 递增
• Pinyin: dì zēng
• Literal Meaning: “to increase step by step” / “to increase in sequence”
• Primary Meaning: to increase gradually, progressively, or continuously

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

递增 is a formal Chinese word used to describe something that increases little by little over time, or grows in a steady sequence.

It is commonly used in:
- statistics
- math
- business reports
- economics
- data analysis
- scientific descriptions

For example, you might hear:
- 人口递增 — population increasing
- 成本递增 — costs rising
- 数值递增 — values increasing step by step

Nuances

Compared with words like 增加 or 增长, 递增 sounds more formal and more specific.

• 增加 = to increase, to add
• very general
• 增长 = to grow, to increase
• often used for abstract growth, such as economy or population
• 递增 = to increase gradually or in a stepwise pattern
• emphasizes sequence, progression, or steady rise

Its opposite is 递减, which means “decrease step by step.”

Character Breakdown

• 递: to pass on, to relay, in sequence, one after another
• gives the sense of progression or step-by-step movement
• 增: to increase, to add, to expand

Together, 递增 describes an increase that happens gradually or in order, not suddenly.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 这个城市的人口在过去十年里递增。
  Pinyin: Zhège chéngshì de rénkǒu zài guòqù shí nián lǐ dì zēng.
  English: The population of this city has increased steadily over the past ten years.

• Chinese: 由于原材料价格上涨，生产成本递增。
  Pinyin: Yóuyú yuáncáiliào jiàgé shàngzhǎng, shēngchǎn chéngběn dì zēng.
  English: Due to rising raw material prices, production costs are increasing gradually.

• Chinese: 公司要求销售额必须按月递增。
  Pinyin: Gōngsī yāoqiú xiāoshòu é bìxū àn yuè dì zēng.
  English: The company requires sales revenue to increase month by month.

Cultural Notes

递增 is often seen in formal writing, especially in reports, charts, and business or academic Chinese. It is a word that feels more “technical” than everyday speech.

In daily conversation, Chinese speakers may often prefer simpler expressions like:
- 越来越多 = more and more
- 增加 = increase
- 上升 = rise

So if you see 递增, it usually means the speaker or writer is describing a clear pattern of gradual increase, often with numbers or measurable data.

Conclusion

递增 (dì zēng) means “to increase gradually” or “to rise step by step.” It is a formal word often used for numbers, data, prices, populations, and other measurable changes. Remember it as a word that describes a steady upward trend.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 递增
• Wiktionary: 递增
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.