につれて

につれて means as; in proportion to; with. It is a JLPT N3 grammar pattern used to show that one gradual change happens together with another.

This grammar point often appears in neutral to written Japanese. If you want to show that one gradual change happens together with another, につれて is a useful pattern to learn.

What does につれて mean?

Use につれて when you want to show that one gradual change happens together with another.

Natural translations include:

• as; in proportion to; with
• as
• as / in proportion to / with

How to form につれて

Verb dictionary + につれて / Noun + につれて

Examples of the pattern:

• 増えるにつれて
• 年を取るにつれて
• 時間が経つにつれて

When is につれて used?

Use につれて in situations like:

• gradual changes
• proportional relationships
• natural development over time

Tone and register:

• neutral to written
• Common in JLPT reading, grammar questions, and natural Japanese sentences

につれて example sentences

• 年を取るにつれて、考え方が変わってきた。 — As I got older, my way of thinking changed.
• 日本語を勉強するにつれて、文化にも興味が出てきた。 — As I studied Japanese, I became interested in the culture too.
• 時間が経つにつれて、痛みが弱くなった。 — As time passed, the pain became weaker.
• 人口が増えるにつれて、交通問題も増えた。 — As the population increased, traffic problems also increased.
• 山に登るにつれて、空気が冷たくなった。 — As we climbed the mountain, the air became colder.

Nuance of につれて

The key nuance is linked gradual change, not a one-time cause.

This matters because につれて does more than translate one English phrase. It shows how the speaker connects ideas, evaluates a situation, or frames the sentence for the listener.

For example:

• In context, it sounds natural when the surrounding sentence supports the nuance.
• Compared with にしたがって, it has a different focus and level of formality.

につれて vs にしたがって

Both につれて and にしたがって can appear in related situations, but they are different.

につれて:

• means as; in proportion to; with
• fits the specific N3 pattern and nuance explained above

にしたがって:

• にしたがって can also express gradual change, but it may also mean following instructions or rules

Quick contrast examples:

• Target: 年を取るにつれて、考え方が変わってきた。 — As I got older, my way of thinking changed.
• Compare: Try replacing it with にしたがって and check whether the nuance still matches.

Common mistakes with につれて

Watch out for these mistakes:

• Using it for sudden events
• Using it with commands or intentions
• Confusing it with 連れて “taking someone along”

Is につれて on the JLPT?

Yes. につれて is commonly taught as JLPT N3 grammar.

That means learners should be able to:

• recognize it in reading
• understand its nuance in context
• use it in simple original sentences

Practice questions for につれて

Try making your own sentences with these prompts:

• Describe becoming interested as you study.
• Say the air gets colder as you climb.
• Say problems increase with population.

Learning path for につれて

To learn につれて efficiently, start with simple change expressions, then practice two linked clauses where one change naturally follows another.

1. First, make sure you can form につれて without looking at the pattern chart.
2. Next, compare it with にしたがって, ば～ほど. These patterns are close enough that choosing between them helps you understand the nuance.
3. Finally, write sentences about age, weather, prices, habits, or gradual progress; then check whether replacing につれて with 一方だ（いっぽうだ） changes the meaning.

Related grammar to review next

• にしたがって — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.
• ば～ほど — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.
• 一方だ（いっぽうだ） — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.
• ようになる — because it also describes change, degree, or development over time.

Learn につれて with Hane

If you want to review につれて together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you connect grammar, kanji, and vocabulary in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:

• All grammar lessons
• JLPT N3 grammar lessons