Japanese Conversation · Level 39
90 words
Japanese word
積もる
Pronunciation
Romajitsumoru
Meaning
- verbpile up
Example
冬は屋根に雪が積もります。fuyu wa ya ne ni yuki ga tsu mo ri ma su
In winter, snow piles up on the roof.
More examples
机の隅にほこりが積もっていました。tsukue no sumi ni ho ko ri ga tsu mo tte i ma shi ta
Dust had piled up in the corner of the desk.
Core concept
Describes something gradually becoming more through repeated addition until its amount or mass builds up.
Common phrases
雪が積もるyuki ga tsu mo ru
snow piles up
不満が積もるfu man ga tsu mo ru
dissatisfaction builds up
Similar words
たまるtamaru: To gather in a place or container and remain there as the amount increases.
積み重なるtsumikasanaru: To gather in successive layers so that a pile becomes larger or higher.
蓄積するchikusekisuru: To increase gradually as something is stored or retained over a long period.
Definition in Japanese
物や事柄が次第に重なって量や程度が増す。mono ya koto gara ga shi dai ni kasa na tte ryō ya tei do ga ma su
Word origin
積もる (tsumoru) is a native Japanese verb formed as the intransitive counterpart of 積む (tsumu, "to pile up"); its meaning extends from physical piles to gradual increases.
Usage tips
- Unlike 積む (tsumu, "to pile up something"), 積もる (tsumoru) does not require an expressed person or tool, so it naturally describes snow or other things accumulating by themselves.