に連れて
As…then, In proportion to, (Along) with
Structure
Noun + につれ（て）
Explanation
につれて, also written with kanji as に連れて, is a grammar pattern that expresses a relationship where one change occurs, and as a direct result, another change happens simultaneously. It can be translated as 'as (A) happens, (B) also happens', or 'in line with (A), (B)'. This expression combines the case marking particle に, the る-Verb 連れる ('to bring someone along'), and the conjunction particle て. The literal sense, 'being brought along by (A), (B) happens', highlights this close connection.
につれて is placed after the dictionary form of a verb or after a noun.
- 日本語を勉強するにつれて、すこしずつ上手になってきた。As I study Japanese, I've gradually gotten better.
- 試験が近づくにつれて、だんだん緊張してきた。As the exam gets closer, I'm getting more and more nervous.
- 町の発展につれて、人口も増えてきた。In line with the town's development, the population has also increased.
- 季節の変化につれて、山の景色も変わる。As the seasons change, the mountain scenery changes too.
Because 連れる is a transitive verb, the structure (A) につれて (B) indicates that as change (A) occurs, change (B) naturally follows as a direct result. This does not mean that (A) is intentionally causing (B), but rather that (A) acts as a trigger in a natural progression of events.
- 山を登るにつれて、空気が薄くなる。As you climb the mountain, the air gets thinner. (Natural, as altitude directly affects air density)
- 山を登るにつれて、日本語が上手になる。In line with climbing the mountain, my Japanese improves. (Unnatural, as there is no connection)
Examples
技術が進歩するに連れて、私たちの生活は便利になっていく。
As technology advances, our lives become more and more convenient.
秋が深まるに連れて、木の葉の色が変わっていく。
As autumn deepens, the color of the leaves begins to change.
年を取るに連れて、記憶力が低下していく。
As one gets older, their memory tends to decline.
練習を重ねるに連れて、だんだん上手になってきた。
As I continued to practice, I gradually became more skilled.
都市の開発が進むに連れて、交通渋滞がひどくなる。
As urban development progresses, traffic congestion gets worse.
物語が進むに連れて、謎が深まっていった。
As the story moved forward, the mystery only deepened.
台風が近づくに連れて、風雨が強まってきた。
As the typhoon drew nearer, the wind and rain grew stronger.
経験を積むに連れて、自信がついてくるものだ。
Confidence is something that builds as you gain more experience.
山を高く登るに連れて、空気が冷たくなってきた。
The higher we climbed the mountain, the colder the air became.
時が経つに連れて、辛い記憶も薄れていく。
With the passing of time, even painful memories begin to fade.
彼が有名になるに連れて、昔の友達と会う時間がなくなった。
As he became more famous, he no longer had time to meet with his old friends.
リハーサルが終わりに近づくに連れて、出演者たちの緊張が高まった。
As the rehearsal drew to a close, the performers' tension mounted.