積 links stacking and accumulation to words for experience and area. Learn each reading with its whole word.

The idea

積 has 16 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 積む（つむ） means to stack or load, and can describe gaining experience. 積もる（つもる） means to pile up; 面積（めんせき） means area. 積み立てる（つみたてる） means to save regularly.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
積むつむI stacked the boxes on the truck.
積もるつもるSnow piled up in the garden overnight.
面積めんせきThe area of this room is twenty square metres.
積み立てるつみたてるI plan to save a little money every month.

Examples

  • 箱はこをトラックに積つみました。I stacked the boxes on the truck.
  • 一晩ひとばんで庭にわに雪ゆきが積つもりました。Snow piled up in the garden overnight.
  • 彼女かのじょは仕事しごとで経験けいけんを積つみました。She gained experience at work.
  • 本ほんが机つくえの上うえに積つんであります。The books are piled up on the desk.
  • この部屋へやの面積めんせきは二十にじゅう平方へいほうメートルです。The area of this room is twenty square metres.
  • 毎月まいつき少すこしずつお金かねを積つみ立たてるつもりです。I plan to save a little money every month.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

積む takes an object: 箱を積む. 積もる describes something accumulating, as in 雪が積もる. The reading in 面積 is せき, not つ.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 積む in hiragana.

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    つむ

    積む is つむ: boxes are loaded onto the truck. Learn the reading with the verb.

  2. Write the reading of 面積 in hiragana.

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    めんせき

    面積 is めんせき: it describes the room’s area. Here 積 is read せき.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 経験を＿む ［積／責］.

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    積

    積 completes 経験を積む, to gain experience. 責 is a different character.

Use it today

Write 積 using the diagram. Cover the table, read 積む and 面積, then make a sentence with either.