溜める|ためるtameru[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto amass; to accumulate; to store
- ichidan verb, transitive verbto leave unpaid
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 溜める（ためる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 溜めます（ためます） |
| Negative (nai) | 溜めない（ためない） |
| polite (masen) | 溜めません（ためません） |
| classical zu / nu | 溜めず・溜めぬ（ためず・ためぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 溜めた（ためた） |
| polite (mashita) | 溜めました（ためました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 溜めなかった（ためなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 溜めませんでした（ためませんでした） |
| Te form | 溜めて（ためて） |
| Potential | 溜められる（ためられる） |
| Passive | 溜められる（ためられる） |
| Causative | 溜めさせる（ためさせる） |
| Causative passive | 溜めさせられる（ためさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 溜めれば（ためれば） |
| tara | 溜めたら（ためたら） |
| Volitional | 溜めよう（ためよう） |
| polite (mashou) | 溜めましょう（ためましょう） |
| Imperative | 溜めろ（ためろ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
水が溜まる
水を溜める
溜まる emphasizes that something accumulates or piles up on its own (as with 水が溜まる), while 溜める focuses on a person deliberately collecting or storing something (as with 水を溜める).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym蓄えるたくわえるNeutralReserves things for future use and also covers building up knowledge or growing a beard; 「溜める」 focuses on amassing or piling up.
- Synonym蓄積ちくせきWrittenWritten word for long-term accumulation, e.g. of fatigue or knowledge; 「溜める」 is more colloquial.
- Synonym貯蓄ちょちくWrittenFormal written word for saving money, as in 「貯蓄率」; 「溜める」 is more colloquial and not limited to money.
- Synonym貯めるためるNeutralHomophone used for saving up money or points, as in 「お金を貯める」「ポイントを貯める」; 「溜める」 is mostly for water, pressure and work.
- Related備蓄びちくWrittenWritten word for stockpiling supplies against emergencies, as in 「備蓄米」; 「溜める」 carries no sense of preparedness.
- Related貯蔵ちょぞうWrittenWritten word for storing goods such as grain or wine, warehouse-style; 「溜める」 stresses things piling up.
- Related溜め込むためこむNeutralSuggests stockpiling large amounts with a hint of hoarding; 「溜める」 is the more neutral choice.
- Related取り置くとりおくNeutralMeans setting something aside to keep for later use; 「溜める」 is about amounts building up.
- Related蔵するぞうするWrittenFormal written verb meaning to hold or contain, as in 「多くの資料を蔵する」.
- Related貯留ちょりゅうWrittenTechnical term for retaining liquids or gases, e.g. rainwater storage; 「溜める」 is the everyday word.
- Antonym出すだすNeutralAntonym: taking things out or putting them out, the opposite direction from storing up with 「溜める」.
- Antonym流すながすNeutralAntonym: draining or washing water away, the opposite of holding it in with 「溜める」.
- Antonym捨てるすてるNeutralAntonym: throwing things away, the opposite of piling up what you cannot bear to part with.
Use 「溜める」 for amassing water, pressure or work, or for leaving bills unpaid; 「貯める」 for saving money; 「蓄える」 and 「備蓄」 for laying in reserves; 「蓄積」 for long-term accumulation; 「流す」 for letting it flow away.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
