Japanese word

かさむ

Pronunciation

Romajikasamu

Meaning

  • verbmount up

Example

引っ越しで出費がかさみます。hi kko shi de shup pi ga ka sa mi ma su

Moving makes expenses mount up.

Illustration for かさむ (mount up)

More examples

冬は暖房費がかさみます。fuyu wa dan bō hi ga ka sa mi ma su

Heating costs mount up in winter.

Core concept

Describes an amount or burden growing larger as additions accumulate, especially in costs or expenses.

Common phrases

  • 出費がかさむshup pi ga ka sa mu

    expenses mount up

  • 費用がかさむhi yō ga ka sa mu

    costs mount up

  • 経費がかさむkei hi ga ka sa mu

    expenses mount up

Similar words

増えるfueru: To become greater in amount, number, or size.
膨らむfukuramu: To grow in amount or scale, often beyond an initial estimate.
積み上がるtsumiagaru: To increase as separate amounts are added together.

Definition in Japanese

出費や費用などの金額が次第に増え、負担が大きくなること。shup pi ya hi yō na do no kin gaku ga shi dai ni fu e fu tan ga ō ki ku na ru ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese verb かさむ (kasamu) is commonly written 嵩む (kasamu), using 嵩 (kasa, "bulk or amount") to suggest an amount becoming greater.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English pile up, かさむ (kasamu) is especially natural for monetary burdens such as 出費 (shuppi, "expenses"), while physical accumulation usually takes a different verb.

Other meanings

  • pile upverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word