Definitions

(verb) to accumulate; to amass; to store
(noun) product (result of multiplication)
(verb) to integrate (mathematics)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character for accumulation, now commonly written as "积", originated from its traditional form "積", which is composed of the semantic component "禾", indicating grain, and the phonetic component "責", suggesting its pronunciation. This structure points directly to its earliest concrete meaning of storing or amassing agricultural harvests. Over time, the sense of piling up material goods broadened into a more abstract concept denoting any gradual gathering or accrual, whether of experience, merit, or over time itself. In the field of mathematics, this conceptual foundation was logically extended to signify the product of multiplication, representing the result of accumulated sums. The simplified form "积" retains the essential semantic element "禾" but replaces the original complex phonetic component with the simpler "只", maintaining the core idea of gradual aggregation that has defined the character's conceptual trajectory from granaries to abstract calculation.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Xin dynasty (9-23 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他学习很极。

Tā xuéxí hěn jījī.

He studies very actively.

累了丰富的知识。

Tā jīlěi le fēngfù de zhīshì.

She has accumulated rich knowledge.

我的分增加了。

Wǒ de jīfēn zēngjiā le.

My points have increased.

这个箱子的体很大。

Zhège xiāngzi de tǐjī hěn dà.

The volume of this box is very large.

桌子上堆了很多文件。

Zhuōzi shàng duījī le hěn duō wénjiàn.

Many documents are piled up on the table.

他对工作总是持极态度。

Tā duì gōngzuò zǒng shì chí jījī tàidù.

He always maintains a positive attitude towards work.

通过不断学习,他累了广泛的经验。

Tōngguò bùduàn xuéxí, tā jīlěi le guǎngfàn de jīngyàn.

Through continuous learning, he has accumulated extensive experience.

长期怨可能导致关系破裂。

Chángqī jīyuàn kěnéng dǎozhì guānxì pòliè.

Long-term accumulated resentment may lead to relationship breakdown.