积 (jī) — to accumulate, to amass, to store up (over time); to integrate (in calculus)
Definition
积 (jī) is a formal/written verb meaning 'to accumulate over time,' often used in set phrases (积攒, 积累) and the math sense 'to integrate.' It pairs with 聚 ('to gather people/things together') by focusing on gradual buildup, not collection.
verb
to accumulateto amassto store up (over time)to integrate (in calculus)
Examples
- ，。Tā gōng zuò duō nián, jī lěi le fēng fù de jīng yàn.He has accumulated rich experience after working for many years.
- 。Tā měi gè yuè dōu jī zǎn yì xiē qián.She saves up some money every month.
- 积。Gāo děng shù xué kè shàng wǒ men xué xí le rú hé jī hán shù.In advanced math class we learned how to integrate functions.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
This origin belongs to the traditional form 積; 积 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
責
責zé積jī
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The traditional form 積 pairs 禾 (grain) with 責, which gives the sound; the simplified 积 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.
Appears in
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