acumulación
/akumulaˈθjon/feminine
The English word accumulation is acumulación in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists acúmulo.
Meaning: act of accumulating, the state of being accumulated (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| acumulación | /akumulaˈθjon/ /akumulaˈsjon/ |
feminine |
| acúmulo | /aˈkumulo/ | masculine |
The word refers to the act of accumulating or the state of being accumulated.
Which one should you use?
acumulación is the standard term used in most contexts, such as scientific, mathematical and general descriptions of a process. In contrast, acúmulo is a masculine noun often used in specific technical or scientific contexts to refer to a mass or a heap of something that has gathered, whereas acumulación emphasizes the process or the result of the act of accumulating.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the feminine noun acumulación is acumulaciones. The plural form of the masculine noun acúmulo is acúmulos. The related verb for the noun is acumular.
How do you pronounce it?
/akumulaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- The root of acumulación comes from the Latin cumulus, which means 'heap'. This is the same root used in English for 'cumulus' clouds, which are characterized by their heaped, fluffy appearance.
- In Spanish, the verb acumular can be used reflexively as acumularse to describe things that pile up on their own, such as 'dust' or 'work'.
- While acumulación is the standard term for a process, using the masculine acúmulo in a non-scientific setting can sound strangely archaic or overly formal to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- Una nube es una acumulación de vapor de agua en el cielo.A cloud is an accumulation of water vapour in the sky.This sentence is useful for describing a cloud as an acumulación of water vapour.Tatoeba #11980800 by Eremon, translation #5158626 by Objectivesea
- Las pecas las causa la acumulación de melanocitos en un área pequeña.Freckles are caused by the accumulation of melanocytes in a small area.This sentence shows how freckles are caused by the acumulación of melanocytes.Tatoeba #11980802 by Eremon, translation #7769970 by Hybrid
- El éxito es el desarrollo de fortalezas. El fracaso es la acumulación de debilidades.Success is the development of strengths. Failure is the accumulation of weaknesses.This sentence uses acumulación to contrast success and failure.Tatoeba #11980803 by Eremon, translation #10630081 by AlanF_US
- La acumulación de riqueza es evidente en esta regiónThe accumulation of wealth is evident in this region
- El amontonamiento de tareas me causa estrésThe accumulation of tasks stresses me out
- Tienes que deshacerte de esa juntadera de ropa viejaYou need to get rid of that pile of old clothes
- Hay un cúmulo de ropa sucia en la lavanderíaThere is a heap of dirty clothes in the laundry room
- Hay un cúmulo de errores en este informeThere is a heap of mistakes in this report
- La acumulación de conocimiento es fundamental para el progreso de una sociedad.The accumulation of knowledge is essential for societal progress.
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing the weather in their city.
- JavierMira la acumulación de hielo en la carretera.Look at the accumulation of ice on the road.
- MaríaEs peligroso conducir con tanto hielo, Javier.It is dangerous to drive with so much ice, Javier.
- JavierDeberíamos esperar a que el sol la derrita.We should wait for the sun to melt it.
- MaríaTienes razón, mejor nos quedamos en casa.You are right, better we stay at home.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “accumulation” translations and entries acumulación, acúmulo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acumulación, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
