Japanese with Manga
Learning through examples in manga

Proportional to with 〜ば〜ほど

Grammar: Degree

The form 〜ば〜ほど is used to say that when something is X, to the degree that it is X, it is proportionally Y. It has the meaning of, “If X is the case, then Y is proportional to X.”

Both 〜 are the same word, the first in the conditional form, and the second is in the base form.

The word ほど suggests X as being to a great degree.

Further Reading

Examples

Proportional to the degree of time passed with 〜ば〜ほど

Manga panel from ひよ恋 showing example of Proportional to with 〜ば〜ほど.
ひよ恋 » Volume 1 » Page 40

After a traffic accident sends Hiyori to the hospital, she misses the first few months of the school year. Once she’s finally able to attend, an embarrassing situation occurs, and she runs out of the classroom and hides. Yuushin tracks her down, and Hiyori tells him she should never have come to school.

ひより:
「ケガなんて　とっくに治(なお)ってたの…」
“I'd already healed from my injuries.”
「たげと…　時間(じかん)が経(た)てば経(た)つほど教室(きょうしつ)に入(はい)るのがこわくなってーー…」
“But, the more time passed, the more scary it became to return to class.”

Proportional to the degree of walking to with 〜ば〜ほど

Manga panel from ARIA The MASTERPIECE showing example of Proportional to with 〜ば〜ほど.
ARIA The MASTERPIECE » Volume 3 » Page 96

Akari, Aika, and Alice find themselves on a treasure hunt through town, as each map they follow leads them to another map. Aika remarks how Akari is in high spirits.

灯里(あかり):
「えへへーーっ　だってさ歩(ある)けば歩(ある)くほどこの街(まち)が大好(だいす)きになる魔法(まほう)にかかちゃうみたいでとっても楽(たの)しいんだもん」
“Ehehe, that's because the more we walk, it's like falling under the spell of loving this city. It's very enjoyable!”