Meaning and usage
Editorial draft积累 () describes building something up through repeated additions or experience over time. Knowledge, experience, money, and resources are common objects. It emphasizes how a store develops, not just how much there is. It can also be a noun meaning accumulation.
Examples
我们需要经验。
We need to build up experience.
每天读一点，慢慢词汇。
Read a little every day and gradually build your vocabulary.
这些知识是多年下来的。
This knowledge has been built up over many years.
Word comparisons
What can you accumulate?
经验 (), experience, is a common object. 积累经验 ( ) describes building experience; 有经验 ( ) describes having it.
积累 and 积聚
Both can describe accumulation. 积累 () often highlights a gradual process; 积聚 () often highlights things gathering together. The distinction is a tendency, not an absolute rule.
Word combinations
build up experience
accumulate knowledge
build up gradually
Sources & editorial notes
Reference definitions: CC-CEDICT contributors and MDBG, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source release 2026-10-27T01:55:52Z. Imported 2026-10-27. Definition wording and meaning order are retained. Recognized pronunciation references are displayed with tone marks; the original source record is available below.
Source record: cd-efadf45796a25497. Source SHA-256: bbc4b27f26bee1a262f4d7939667a040c7857c7fc0200a2fa7a86d3352a09eae.
Original source entry:
積累 积累 [ji1 lei3] /to accumulate/accumulation/cumulative/cumulatively/Additional explanations and examples are editorial drafts. They have not received independent linguistic review. Audio uses an available Mandarin device voice, and its quality varies.
Editorial revision: 2026-10-28.2. Examples use tone marks, including common changes in 一 and 不.
These sources support specific usage points. They do not verify every sentence or endorse this entry.
- Mainland usage: Ministry of Education (2023)
Attests 多年积累下来的知识. Supports the construction; the choice in this example remains an editorial judgment, not evidence that the shorter version is wrong.
Source material and teaching drafts have separate provenance. Long-term commercial licensing remains under review.
Character information
Other forms in these source records: 積累
View the individual characters. Their meanings do not necessarily explain the meaning of the whole word.