How to say "add" in Japanese

• 加えるくわえるJLPT N3approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe general verb: add one thing to another, whether an ingredient, a condition, or a remark, and it can also mean to add up or sum up. A safe default when no narrower verb fits.
  水みずを加くわえてペースト状ぺーすとじょうになるまでかき回まわしなさい。↗

  Add water and stir to a paste.
• 足すたすJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb for arithmetic: adding one number to another or working out a total. For adding anything other than numbers, a different word is the natural choice.
  ６０にするためには１７に何なんを足たせばよいの。↗

  What do you have to add to 17 to get 60?
• さすJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbFor adding a liquid: pouring water into a pot, oil into a pan, or serving drinks. Usually written in kana alone rather than with kanji.
• 付け加えるつけくわえるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbTo add one thing to another, especially a few more words or an explanation on top of what has already been said or written.
  リストに彼かれの名前なまえをつけ加くわえた。↗

  I added his name to the list.
• 付け足すつけたすCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbTo add on to or append to something already present; near-synonymous with 付け加える for putting extra material on top of what exists.
  「すぐ帰かえってくるから」と彼かれは付け足つけたした。↗

  "I'll be back in a minute," he added.

Use 「加える」 for adding things in general, 「足す」 for adding numbers, 「さす」 for adding liquid, and 「付け加える」 or 「付け足す」 for adding extra words or material on to what is already there.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 加えるくわえるto add
• 足すたすto add (numbers)
• さすto pour
• 付け加えるつけくわえるto add (one thing to another)
• 付け足すつけたすto add (to)
• つけるto attach
• 書き添えるかきそえるto add
• 繰り入れるくりいれるto transfer (esp. money in)
• 書き加えるかきくわえるto add (e.g. a postscript)
• 言い添えるいいそえるto add (to what was said before)
• 申し添えるもうしそえるto add (to what was said before)
• 書き足すかきたすto write in more information
• 言い足すいいたすto say something additional
• 注意力欠如障害ちゅういりょくけつじょしょうがいattention deficit disorder
• 注意欠陥障害ちゅういけっかんしょうがいattention deficit disorder
• つぐto add (e.g. charcoal to the fire)
• 連ねるつらねるto add (to a group)
• 施すほどこすto apply (processing, makeup, etc.)
• 和するわするto add (one's own concordant voice, etc.)
• 寄せるよせるto add (numbers)
• 差すさすto pour
• かぶせるto add (e.g. music to a video)