Readings: セキ (Onyomi), つ.む, つ.もる, -づ.み (Kunyomi)
Meaning: to accumulate, to pile up, to load, to stack, product (math)
The kanji 積 combines 禾 (nogi-hen, meaning “grain” or “cereal”) and 責 (seki, which originally depicted a thorny plant or a shell used for counting/accumulating, conveying the idea of piling up or accumulating). Together, it signifies the accumulation of grains or goods.
View JLPT N3 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 積 has 16 strokes. It starts with the radical 禾 (nogi-hen) on the left, followed by the component 責 on the right. Pay attention to the correct stroke order for both parts, especially the diagonal strokes in 禾 and the complex structure of 責.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 禾 (のぎへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 16 |
| JLPT Level | N3 |
| Grade | 5 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- セキ (Seki)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- つむ (Tsumu)
- つもる (Tsumoru)
Common Words Using 積
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 面積 | めんせき | area (e.g., of a room, land) |
| 体積 | たいせき | volume |
| 堆積 | たいせき | accumulation, deposit |
| 積雪 | せきせつ | accumulated snow, snow cover |
| 積載 | せきさい | loading (cargo), capacity |
| 積算 | せきさん | summation, totalization |
| 蓄積 | ちくせき | accumulation, store |
| 積弊 | せきへい | long-standing evil/abuse |
| 積層 | せきそう | lamination, layering |
| 容積 | ようせき | capacity, volume |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 荷物を積む | にもつをはこぶ | to load luggage |
| 経験を積む | けいけんをつむ | to gain experience |
| 雪が積もる | ゆきがつもる | snow accumulates |
| お金を積み立てる | おかねをつみたてる | to save money (accumulate) |
| 積み重ねる | つみかさねる | to pile up, to stack up |
| 積み上げる | つみあげる | to pile up, to heap up |
| 見積もり | みつもり | estimate, quotation |
| 話し合いを積み重ねる | はなしあいをつみかさねる | to have repeated discussions |
| 塵も積もれば山となる | ちりもつもればやまとなる | Even dust, if accumulated, becomes a mountain (many a little makes a mickle). |
| 積み木 | つみき | building blocks |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 日本語の勉強を積み重ねて、JLPT N3に合格したいです。
Kana: にほんごのべんきょうをつみかさねて、JLPT N3にごうかくしたいです。
Romaji: Nihongo no benkyou o tsumikasanete, JLPT N3 ni goukaku shitai desu.
English: I want to pass JLPT N3 by steadily accumulating my Japanese studies.
Japanese: 荷物をトラックに積んでください。
Kana: にもつをトラックにつんでください。
Romaji: Nimotsu o torakku ni tsunde kudasai.
English: Please load the luggage onto the truck.
Japanese: 冬になると、庭に雪がたくさん積もります。
Kana: ふゆになると、にわにゆきがたくさんつもります。
Romaji: Fuyu ni naru to, niwa ni yuki ga takusan tsumorimasu.
English: In winter, a lot of snow accumulates in the garden.
Japanese: 彼は仕事で多くの経験を積みました。
Kana: かれはしごとでおおくのけいけんをつみました。
Romaji: Kare wa shigoto de ooku no keiken o tsumimashita.
English: He accumulated a lot of experience through his work.
Japanese: 部屋の面積はどのくらいですか。
Kana: へやのめんせきはどのくらいですか。
Romaji: Heya no menseki wa dono kurai desu ka.
English: What is the area of the room?
Japanese: この箱の容積は小さいです。
Kana: このはこのようせきはちいさいです。
Romaji: Kono hako no youseki wa chiisai desu.
English: The volume of this box is small.
Japanese: お金を銀行に積み立てています。
Kana: おかねをぎんこうにつみたてています。
Romaji: Okane o ginkou ni tsumitatete imasu.
English: I am saving money in the bank.
Japanese: 積雪のため、電車が遅れています。
Kana: せきせつのため、でんしゃがおくれています。
Romaji: Sekisetsu no tame, densha ga okurete imasu.
English: Due to accumulated snow, the train is delayed.
Japanese: 彼は日々努力を積み重ねて、目標を達成しました。
Kana: かれはひびどりょくをつみかさねて、もくひょうをたっせいしました。
Romaji: Kare wa hibi doryoku o tsumikasanete, mokuhyou o tassei shimashita.
English: He achieved his goal by accumulating daily efforts.
Japanese: 見積もりをお願いできますか。
Kana: みつもりをおねがいできますか。
Romaji: Mitsumori o onegai dekimasu ka.
English: Can I get an estimate?
Related Grammar & kanji list
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