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.
He has accumulated a lot of old stamps.
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.
The company has accumulated vast amounts of data over many years.
Specifically for accumulating money through regular savings or installment plans.
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.
He accumulated efforts and succeeded.
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).
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.
Dust has accumulated on the desk.
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).
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.
It's important to accumulate experience.
He has accumulated a considerable fortune.
Debts accumulated and repayment became difficult.
雪が一晩で30センチ積もった。
Snow accumulated 30 centimeters overnight.
Dissatisfaction accumulated and exploded.
It's a system where data is accumulated automatically.