積み上げる|つみあげるtsumiageru[4]nakadaka (mid-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. ichidan verb, transitive verbto pile up; to make a heap; to lay (e.g. bricks)
  2. ichidan verb, transitive verbto acquire (e.g. experience); to build (a reputation)
    一族いちぞくが苦労くろうして積み上つみあげてきたものを、お前まえは一瞬いっしゅんで反故ほごにするつもりか。↗
    Do you intend to throw away in one instant what our family has painstakingly built up?
Conjugation
Dictionary form積み上げる(つみあげる)
Polite (masu)積み上げます(つみあげます)
Negative (nai)積み上げない(つみあげない)
polite (masen)積み上げません(つみあげません)
classical zu / nu積み上げず・積み上げぬ(つみあげず・つみあげぬ)
Past (ta)積み上げた(つみあげた)
polite (mashita)積み上げました(つみあげました)
Past negative (nakatta)積み上げなかった(つみあげなかった)
polite (masen deshita)積み上げませんでした(つみあげませんでした)
Te form積み上げて(つみあげて)
Potential積み上げられる(つみあげられる)
Passive積み上げられる(つみあげられる)
Causative積み上げさせる(つみあげさせる)
Causative passive積み上げさせられる(つみあげさせられる)
Conditional (ba)積み上げれば(つみあげれば)
tara積み上げたら(つみあげたら)
Volitional積み上げよう(つみあげよう)
polite (mashou)積み上げましょう(つみあげましょう)
Imperative積み上げろ(つみあげろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym積み重ねるつみかさねるNeutralStacks things layer on layer, stressing repeated accumulation, as in 「努力を積み重ねる」; 「積み上げる」 stresses piling something up high.
  • Synonym積むつむNeutralA broad, everyday verb for piling and loading; it stresses simply placing things on top, without the image of building a tall heap.
  • Synonym重ねるかさねるNeutralCovers stacking things and doing something over and over, as in 「年を重ねる」; the stress is on overlapping layers, not on heaping up.
  • Related積み込むつみこむNeutralLoads goods into a vehicle or ship; the focus is stowing cargo, not piling things up high.
  • Related乗せるのせるNeutralPuts something on top or gives people and things a ride; common in everyday speech, with no sense of accumulation.
  • Related乗っけるのっけるCasualColloquial for putting something on top or giving someone a ride; casual, and it says nothing about stacking or accumulating.
  • Antonym崩すくずすNeutralKnocks a pile down or breaks it apart; the direct opposite of building something up with 「積み上げる」.

Use 「積み上げる」 to pile things up high or build up achievements, as in 「本を積み上げる」「実績を積み上げる」. For repeated accumulation pick 「積み重ねる」, for stacking 「重ねる」, and for loading cargo 「積み込む」; 「崩す」 is the opposite.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 高たかく重かさねる。
  2. 積つんで終おえる。
  3. 少すこしずつ成し遂なしとげ高たかい実績じっせきとする。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android