Yuka追加 vs 加える — both relate to adding something, but one is a noun/suru-verb and the other is a transitive verb. Understanding the difference will sharpen your Japanese!
ReiThis is a practical vocabulary point that comes up constantly in everyday and professional Japanese. Let's break it down clearly.
At a Glance
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| 追加 | ついか | Addition; to add (as a suru-verb) | Noun or suru-verb: 追加する |
| 加える | くわえる | To add, to include, to apply | Transitive verb — something is added to something else |
追加 (ついか) — Addition / To Add (to an existing set)
追加 means addition — adding something to what already exists. As a suru-verb (追加する), it means to add. The nuance is often that something is being appended or supplemented after the fact.
- 追加注文 (ついかちゅうもん) — additional order (e.g., at a restaurant)
- 追加料金 (ついかりょうきん) — additional charge/fee
- 追加する — to add, to append
- 追加募集 (ついかぼしゅう) — additional recruitment
Yukaスマホにアプリを追加した。
I added an app to my phone.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| メニューに新しい料理が追加された。 | A new dish was added to the menu. |
| 追加料金がかかりますか？ | Is there an additional charge? |
| 連絡先に追加してもいいですか？ | May I add you to my contacts? |
| コメントを追加する。 | To add a comment. |
加える (くわえる) — To Add, To Apply
加える is a transitive verb meaning to add, to include, to apply. It's broader than 追加する — it covers adding an ingredient, adding force, adding a person to a group, and more.
- 塩を加える — to add salt
- 熱を加える — to apply heat
- グループに加える — to include someone in a group
- 圧力を加える — to apply pressure
Rei加える is more versatile than 追加する. You can add abstract things: 努力を加える (to put in more effort), 変化を加える (to make a change). 追加する is more about literally appending to a list or set.
| Japanese | English |
|---|---|
| スープに塩を少し加えてください。 | Please add a little salt to the soup. |
| チームに新しいメンバーを加えた。 | I added a new member to the team. |
| 変化を加えることで料理が豊かになる。 | Adding variation makes the cooking richer. |
| 圧力を加えて形を作る。 | Apply pressure to form the shape. |
Key Differences
| 追加 | 加える | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Noun / suru-verb | Transitive verb |
| Core meaning | Append to existing set | Add, include, apply |
| Abstract use? | Less common | Yes: 熱を加える、圧力を加える |
| Common context | Apps, orders, fees, lists | Cooking, groups, forces |
| Example | アプリを追加する | 塩を加える |
Quick Quiz
Choose 追加 or 加える:
- スープにコショウを___てください。→ 加え (加える)
- 注文に一品___してもいいですか？→ 追加 (追加する)
- チームに新人を___た。→ 加え (加える)
- SNSの友達リストに___する。→ 追加 (追加する)
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