Addition is one of the first arithmetic operations you learn and it combines quantities to make a larger total. This guide covers basic vocabulary and examples so you can talk about addition clearly.
Vocabulary
| English Word(s) | English Word(s) |
|---|---|
| add | plus |
| sum | total |
| increase | more |
| altogether | in all |
| more than | half |
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🌴 I live on an island with my family. | I live on an island with my family. |
| 🏄 There are waves perfect for surfing. | There are waves perfect for surfing. |
| 🐬 Dolphins often swim near our shore. | Dolphins often swim near our shore. |
| 🌅 We watch colorful sunsets every evening. | We watch colorful sunsets every evening. |
| 🛶 I paddle a small boat around the island. | I paddle a small boat around the island. |
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Key Phrases
When describing addition, speakers often use phrases like add to, plus, more than, and altogether to show how quantities combine. These phrases help make the operation clear in context.
| English Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 🏖 Can you help me add these shells? | Can you help me add these shells? |
| 🌊 The tide is coming in. | The tide is coming in. |
| 🐚 I found more on the other side. | I found more on the other side. |
| 🚤 Let's race to the big rock! | Let's race to the big rock! |
| 🌴 Two more and we’ll have a whole line. | Two more and we’ll have a whole line. |
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Usage
Addition combines two or more quantities to find their total amount. You can add numbers, amounts, or even units like time and money when they are compatible.
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Examples
| English Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 🌅 The sunset made the sky look like a giant adding machine. | The sunset made the sky look like a giant adding machine. | Figurative addition |
| 🐚 I collected three shells here and two more over there. | I collected three shells here and two more over there. | Simple addition |
| 🛶 We had four people in the boat and two more joined. | We had four people in the boat and two more joined. | Addition with people |
| 🚩 There were five flags on the shore and two more were raised. | There were five flags on the shore and two more were raised. | Addition with objects |
| 🌠 Tonight, five stars and two more appeared in the sky. | Tonight, five stars and two more appeared in the sky. | Addition with stars |
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Word Problems
Word problems give real-world contexts for addition by describing situations where you join quantities like items, money, or time. They help practice translating language into adding numbers.
| English Example | English Translation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 🐠 There were 7 fish near the dock and 5 more came. How many fish are there now? | There were 7 fish near the dock and 5 more came. How many fish are there now? | Basic addition problem |
| 🥥 I picked 8 coconuts and found 6 more on the beach. How many coconuts do I have? | I picked 8 coconuts and found 6 more on the beach. How many coconuts do I have? | Addition with harvest |
| 🐦 Ten birds landed on the palm tree and three more joined them. How many birds are there in total? | Ten birds landed on the palm tree and three more joined them. How many birds are there in total? | Addition with animals |
| 🏝 There are 12 shells on one side of the island and 9 more on the other side. How many shells are there altogether? | There are 12 shells on one side of the island and 9 more on the other side. How many shells are there altogether? | Addition across locations |
| 🍉 We have 15 fruits in one basket and 7 more in another. How many fruits do we have total? | We have 15 fruits in one basket and 7 more in another. How many fruits do we have total? | Addition with baskets |
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Summary
Addition joins quantities to make a larger total. Key vocabulary includes add, plus, sum, and signal phrases like more than and altogether. Practice with word problems to see addition in everyday contexts.
Last updated: Tue Sep 16, 2025