聚积 (jù jī) — to accumulate (gradually, over time); to collect (of dust, wealth, experience, etc.); to build up

Definition

聚积 emphasizes gradual build-up of something concrete and physical (dust, water, wealth, experience) over time. Unlike 积累 jīlěi, which is used more for abstract knowledge or capital, 聚积 often takes a material or experiential mass noun as its object.

verb
to accumulate (gradually, over time)to collect (of dust, wealth, experience, etc.)to build up

Examples

  • 聚积。
    Qiáng jiǎo jù jī le yī céng hòu hòu de huī chén.
    A thick layer of dust has accumulated in the corner of the wall.
  • 聚积。
    Duō nián de jīng yàn jù jī chéng le tā dú tè de fēng gé.
    Years of experience built up into his unique style.
  • 聚积。
    Yǔ shuǐ zài dī wā chù jù jī qǐ lái.
    Rainwater accumulated in the low-lying areas.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

聚jùgather
积jīaccumulate

聚 (gather) and 积 (accumulate) both mean bringing things together, so together they describe gradual accumulation.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
乑乑yínthree men
Sound part声符shēngfú
取
取qǔ聚jù
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

聚 is built from 取, which gives the sound, and 乑, drawn as three men, to show people coming together.

Open 聚 →

Most 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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
禾禾hé
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.

Open 积 →

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