Meaning and Usage
"積む" (つむ) primarily means "to pile up" or "to stack" physical objects, such as books or luggage. It is commonly used when talking about arranging items in a pile or loading things onto a vehicle.
Figurative Use
Besides the literal meaning, "積む" is often used figuratively to describe accumulating intangible things like experience or skills. For example, "経験を積む" means "to gain experience." This usage is very common in work or learning contexts.
Common Collocations
- 本を積む: to pile books
- 荷物を積む: to load luggage
- 経験を積む: to gain experience
Register and Politeness
"積む" is a neutral verb suitable for both casual and formal contexts. When used in polite speech, it is conjugated accordingly (e.g., "積みます").
Learner Tips
A common confusion is mixing "積む" with "載せる" (のせる), which also means "to load" or "to place on." "積む" implies stacking or piling up, often with multiple items, while "載せる" can mean placing a single item on something. Pay attention to context to choose the correct verb.