Translation guide
The English verb 'accumulate' covers both gradual gathering of physical items and the build-up of abstract things like wealth, experience, or stress. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is accumulating and whether the focus is on the process, the result, or the agent.
To bring together a quantity of tangible things over time, often intentionally.
Transitive verb meaning to save up or accumulate something, often money, points, or objects. Implies intentional collection.
彼は古い切手をたくさんためている。
He has accumulated a lot of old stamps.
ポイントをためて景品と交換した。
I accumulated points and exchanged them for a prize.
Formal suru-verb for accumulating knowledge, data, or resources. Often used in technical or business contexts.
企業は長年にわたり膨大なデータを蓄積してきた。
The company has accumulated vast amounts of data over many years.
Specifically for accumulating money through regular savings or installment plans.
毎月少しずつ積み立てている。
I'm accumulating a little each month.
To increase in amount or intensity over time, often without deliberate action.
Transitive verb for piling up efforts, achievements, or experiences. Emphasizes steady, layered accumulation.
彼は努力を積み重ねて成功した。
He accumulated efforts and succeeded.
経験を積み重ねることが大切だ。
It's important to accumulate experience.
To store up or reserve, often used for wealth, energy, or knowledge. Implies saving for future use.
Formal term for cumulative build-up, often used in finance or statistics (e.g., interest, debt).
借金が累積して返済が難しくなった。
Debts accumulated and repayment became difficult.
To pile up or collect without a direct agent; things gather on their own.
Intransitive counterpart of ためる. Used for things accumulating naturally, like dust, stress, or work.
机の上にほこりがたまっている。
Dust has accumulated on the desk.
ストレスがたまると体調を崩しやすい。
When stress accumulates, you're prone to getting sick.
Intransitive verb for piling up, especially snow, dust, or feelings. Often implies a visible or tangible accumulation.
Passive form of 蓄積する, used when something is accumulated (often by a system or process).
データが自動的に蓄積される仕組みだ。
It's a system where data is accumulated automatically.
ためる is transitive (someone accumulates something), while たまる is intransitive (something accumulates by itself). Use ためる when you deliberately save or collect, and たまる when things pile up without direct action.
English 'accumulate' can often be translated directly, but in casual speech, simpler verbs like たまる or ためる are preferred. Overusing 蓄積する may sound overly formal or technical.
彼はかなりの財産を蓄えている。
He has accumulated a considerable fortune.
Snow accumulated 30 centimeters overnight.
不満が積もって爆発した。
Dissatisfaction accumulated and exploded.