Translation and Meaning of: 溜まる - tamaru

The Japanese word 溜まる (たまる, tamaru) is a common verb in everyday life in Japan, but it can cause confusion for language learners. Its main meaning relates to something that accumulates, whether physically or metaphorically. In this article, we will explore the usage of this word in different contexts, its origin, and how it is perceived in Japanese culture. If you've ever wondered how to use 溜まる correctly or why it appears so frequently in animes and mangas, keep reading!

Meaning and usage of 溜まる

The verb 溜まる describes the action of something accumulating, whether in a concrete or abstract way. It can be used for stagnant water in a bucket, trash that gathers in a corner, or even stress that builds up in daily life. The central idea is always that of something that aggregates in the same place, creating a larger volume over time.

An interesting detail is that 溜まる is often used in negative situations, such as when we talk about debts, dirt, or problems that accumulate. However, it can also appear in neutral contexts, such as in "お金が溜まる" (okane ga tamaru), which means "money is accumulating." This flexibility makes it a quite versatile word.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 溜 is composed of the water radical (氵) and the component 留, which relates to permanence or retention. This combination reinforces the idea of something that remains still and accumulates, like water in a reservoir. The origin of the character dates back to ancient Chinese, where it already carried a meaning similar to the current one.

It is worth noting that 溜まる is written with the kanji 溜, but it can also appear in hiragana (たまる) in informal texts or when the writer wants to simplify. In everyday writing, especially among young people, hiragana is quite common, while kanji appears more in formal or literary materials.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to remember 溜まる is to associate it with everyday situations where things accumulate. Think of the dust that gathers on furniture, the unread messages on your phone, or the pending tasks at work. All of these are occasions where 溜まる can be applied naturally.

Another useful tip is to observe the use of this word in dramas and animes, where it frequently appears in dialogues about escalating problems. Scenes of characters complaining that "the work is piling up" (仕事が溜まっている) or that "the dishes are stacked" (食器が溜まっている) are great for understanding the emotional context that the word carries.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• たまる (tamaru) - To accumulate, to gather (used in various contexts, such as water or stress).
• 貯まる (tamaru) - To accumulate, to save (generally used in relation to money or resources).
• 積もる (tsumoru) - To increase, to accumulate (usually used in relation to snow or stacked objects).
• 堆積する (taiseki suru) - Accumulate, sediment (referring to layers of materials, such as sand or soil).

溜まる

Romaji: tamaru
Kana: たまる
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: collect; gather up; to save

Meaning in English: to collect;to gather;to save

Definition: It accumulates in a specific place.

Example Sentences - (溜まる) tamaru

See below some example sentences:

仕事が滞るとストレスが溜まる。

Shigoto ga todokoru to sutoresu ga tamaru

When the work gets still

When work is postponed, stress accumulates.

• 仕事 - work
• が - subject particle
• 滞る - to stand still, to stagnate
• と - Conjunction particle
• ストレス - stress
• が - subject particle
• 溜まる - accumulate, to accumulate

溜まることは避けたい。

Tamaru koto wa saketai

I want to avoid accumulating.

I want to avoid accumulating.

• 溜まる - accumulate
• こと - thing
• は - Topic particle
• 避けたい - want to avoid