Translation and Meaning of: 積もる - tsumoru

If you are studying Japanese or have an interest in the language, you may have come across the word 積もる (つもる). It appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to more poetic expressions. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, as well as understand how this word is perceived in Japanese culture. Whether for better memorization or simply to satisfy your curiosity, you will find valuable information here.

Meaning and use of 積もる

The verb 積もる (つもる) conveys the idea of "to accumulate" or "to pile up." It is often used to describe natural phenomena, such as snow that accumulates in winter (雪が積もる). However, its use is not limited to literal contexts. In Japan, it also appears in metaphorical expressions, such as when someone says that grievances or bills are piling up.

An interesting detail is that 積もる can convey both a sense of slowness (like snow falling slowly) and emotional weight. For example, 不安が積もる (anxiety that accumulates) is a common construction in dialogues and literature. This versatility makes the word useful in everyday and artistic situations.

Origin and writing in kanji

The word 積もる is composed of the kanji 積 (which means "to accumulate") and the verb もる (in hiragana form). The radical of 積 is 禾 (ear of grain), which historically refers to the idea of harvest and stock — a direct association with the concept of accumulation. This kanji is not exclusive to the verb つもる; it appears in other words like 積み重ねる (to stack) and 面積 (area, in the mathematical sense).

It is worth noting that, although 積もる is the most common writing, in some dialects or informal contexts, the verb may appear only in hiragana (つもる). This does not change its meaning, but shows the flexibility of the Japanese language in adapting to different registers.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to remember 積もる is to associate it with mental images of accumulation. Think of a pile of books, snow covering the ground, or even pending tasks. This type of visualization helps connect the word to real-life situations. Another tip is to practice with simple sentences, like 机の上にほこりが積もっている (The dust has accumulated on the table).

Avoid confusing 積もる with similar verbs like 溜まる (たまる), which also means "to accumulate," but is more commonly used for liquids or abstract things like debts. While 積もる has a more "physical" or poetic tone, 溜まる is more neutral and everyday. This nuance is important to sound natural when speaking Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 積もる

• 積もる - dictionary form
• 積もります - Polished form
• 積もっています - Progressive form
• 積もれば conditional form
• 積もれる - potential form
• 積もられる - passive form

Synonyms and similar words

• 積もり (tsumori) - intention, plan
• 積もる (tsumoru) - accumulate, come together (usually used for snow or objects)
• 積もります (tsumorimasu) - accumulate, gather (polite form of 積もる)
• 積もっている (tsumotte iru) - is accumulating, currently accumulated
• 積もった (tsumotta) - accumulated, gathered (past form of 積もる)

積もる

Romaji: tsumoru
Kana: つもる
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: to stack

Meaning in English: to pile up

Definition: Certain things accumulate one after the other and become more numerous.

Example Sentences - (積もる) tsumoru

See below some example sentences:

塵も積もれば山となる。

Chiri mo tsumoreba yama to naru

Even Dust

If the dust is stacked, it will be a mountain.

• 塵 (chiri) - dust
• も (mo) - also
• 積もれば (tsumoreba) - to accumulate
• 山 (yama) - Mountain
• と (to) - I'm sorry, but I need a text or string to translate from Portuguese to English. Please provide the content you'd like me to work on.
• なる (naru) - become