Japanese Conversation · Level 111
60 words
Japanese word
溜める
Pronunciation
Romajitameru
Meaning
- verbaccumulate
Example
仕事を溜めないようにします。shi goto o ta me na i yō ni shi ma su
I try not to let work pile up.
More examples
毎月少しずつお金を溜めています。mai tsuki suko shi zu tsu o kane o ta me te i ma su
I save up a little money every month.
Core concept
Describes keeping things together as they build up instead of dealing with or using them one by one.
Common phrases
お金を溜めるo kane o ta me ru
save up money
ごみを溜めるgo mi o ta me ru
accumulate trash
ストレスを溜めるsu to re su o ta me ru
build up stress
Similar words
貯めるtameru: To save money or other valuable things gradually for future use.
溜め込むtamekomu: To keep collecting something until a large amount has gathered.
Definition in Japanese
物事を処理したり使ったりせず、そのまま集めて量を増やすこと。mono goto o sho ri shi ta ri tsuka tta ri se zu so no ma ma atsu me te ryō o fu ya su ko to
Word origin
溜める (tameru, "to accumulate") belongs to the native Japanese word family of 溜まる (tamaru, "to collect") and denotes causing something to gather or remain gathered.
Usage tips
- In everyday Japanese, 溜める (tameru, "to accumulate") often suggests postponing action until a quantity becomes a burden, whereas 貯める (tameru, "to save") usually suggests planned saving.