積む
ja
en
Change language
Translating...
to stack, to pile up, to accumulate, to build up, to accrue
/tsɯ̥m/
Add to My Dictionary
In My Dictionary
+1
A verb meaning to place things one on top of another, and by extension to gather, increase, or load items, points, or obligations.
Examples
借金が積んで返済が困難になる。
Debt accumulates and repayment becomes difficult.
彼女は写真を積む趣味がある。
She has a hobby of stacking photographs.
段ボールを積んだら、通路が狭くなった。
When the cardboard stacked, the aisle became narrow.
古い雑誌を積んだまま捨てなかった。
He didn't throw away the stacked old magazines.
新しい本を積んで棚に並べた。
She stacked the new books and arranged them on the shelf.
Similar words
載せる
蓄積する
積み込む
貯める
積み立てる
集める
積み重ねる
堆積する
増やす
重ねる
Meanings
Usage
Use 積む when you physically stack books, boxes, or similar items.
Examples
彼は本を積んで机の上に置いた。
He stacked books and placed them on the desk.
倉庫で箱を積む作業が始まった。
The work of stacking boxes began in the warehouse.
段ボールを積んだら、通路が狭くなった。
When the cardboard stacked, the aisle became narrow.
彼女は写真を積む趣味がある。
She has a hobby of stacking photographs.
新しい本を積んで棚に並べた。
She stacked the new books and arranged them on the shelf.
荷物を積むときはバランスに注意する。
When stacking luggage, pay attention to balance.
古い雑誌を積んだまま捨てなかった。
He didn't throw away the stacked old magazines.
Common mistakes
The verb is often confused with 重ねる, which implies layering rather than stacking.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| 本を重ねて置く。
| 本を積む。
|
| 箱を積むました。
| 箱を積みました。
|
| 荷物を載せる。
| 荷物を積む。
|
Similar words
重ねる
積み上げる
載せる
積み込む
積み立てる
溜める
貯める
堆積する
Usage
Use 積む for accumulating experience, points, or obligations, not for a single act.
Examples
彼は毎日練習してスキルを積んでいる。
He accumulates skill by practicing every day.
このゲームは経験値を積むとレベルが上がる。
This game accumulates experience points to raise the level.
会社は利益を積んで将来の投資に備える。
The company accumulates profits to prepare for future investment.
借金が積んで返済が困難になる。
Debt accumulates and repayment becomes difficult.
彼女は知識を積むために本を読む。
She reads books to accumulate knowledge.
ポイントを積むと商品と交換できる。
When you accumulate points, you can exchange them for goods.
長年の努力で信用が積んだ。
Years of effort have built up trust.
Common mistakes
Learners often use 積む for a one‑time purchase, which should be 買う.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| ゲームを積んだ。
| ゲームを買った。
|
| 経験を積むことができない。
| 経験を積むことができる。
|
| 借金を積む。
| 借金を増やす。
|
Similar words
貯める
溜める
蓄える
増やす
集める
積み上げる
積み重ねる
蓄積する
Usage
Use 積む for stacking objects or for gradual accumulation; choose 減らす when describing reduction.
Common mistakes
Confusing 積む with 重ねる when the action is simply to add items to a pile rather than to layer them.
Etymology
From Old Japanese tsumu ‘to pile’, related to the noun tsumi meaning ‘pile’ and cognate with classical forms meaning ‘to load’.
FAQ
What does 積む mean in Japanese?
積む means to stack, pile up, or accumulate something.
How is 積む used to talk about experience points?
You say 経験値を積む to indicate gaining experience.
Can 積む be used for loading cargo?
Yes, you can say 荷物を積む when loading goods onto a vehicle.
What is the difference between 積む and 重ねる?
積む implies stacking items one on top of another, while 重ねる suggests layering or overlapping.
Yes, it follows the regular 五段 conjugation pattern.
How do you say ‘to accumulate debt’ with 積む?
You can say 借金を積む to express debt building up.
What polite form of 積む should I use?
Can 積む be used metaphorically?
Yes, it is often used metaphorically for gathering knowledge, points, or responsibilities.
What is the past tense of 積む?
Comments & contributions
Know this word from another angle? Add a correction, a nuance, or a usage note. New posts go public after a quick review.
No comments yet. Be the first to add one.