Meaning and Usage
The verb かさむ means "to pile up" or "to increase," often used for things like expenses, debts, or workload. It implies an accumulation that can become burdensome or problematic.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see かさむ used in financial or work-related contexts, such as 出費がかさむ (expenses pile up) or 仕事がかさむ (workload increases). It often carries a negative nuance, suggesting an unwanted increase.
Collocations and Patterns
- 出費がかさむ: expenses pile up, used when costs increase unexpectedly or excessively.
- 借金がかさむ: debts accumulate, emphasizing financial burden.
- 仕事がかさむ: workload increases, often leading to stress.
Register and Politeness
かさむ is a neutral verb, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in written and spoken Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse かさむ with かさねる (to pile things up physically). Remember, かさむ is mostly used for abstract accumulations like costs or tasks, not physical stacking.