N3 Time, Sequences, and Change

~につれて: meaning, usage and examples

~につれて means: as... / in proportion to...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 日ひが暮くれるにつれて、寒さむくなってきた。

   As the sun set, it got colder.

2. 練習れんしゅうを重かさねるにつれて、上達じょうたつした。

   As I practiced more, I improved.

3. 年としをとるにつれて、朝あさ早はやく目めが覚さめるようになった。

   As I've gotten older, I've started waking up early in the morning.

4. 試験しけんの日ひが近ちかづくにつれて、だんだん不安ふあんになってきた。

   As the exam date drew closer, I grew more and more anxious.

When to use it

Use this when one change causes another change to happen gradually alongside it: as A changes, B changes too. 町まちが大おおきくなるにつれて、交通こうつうも便利べんりになった (as the town grew, getting around became easier). Both parts describe gradual change, so verbs like なる, 増ふえる, 上あがる and 〜てくる often appear.

Nuance

Neutral; used in speech and writing. につれ is slightly more written. Both clauses must show a process of change, not a single event or a one-time action. The second clause cannot be the speaker's will or a request, such as 〜しよう or 〜てください.

Compare

とともに can mean the same, but it can also mean "together with" or "at the same time as": 友人ゆうじんとともに旅行りょこうする. につれて is only for gradual linked change: 年としをとるにつれて体力たいりょくが落おちる. にしたがって is very close and slightly more formal.

Tip: Check both halves for change words such as 増ふえる, なる, 上あがる. If either half is a one-time event, につれて does not fit.