積もる

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The written form is 積もる, read つもる. This intransitive verb describes physical material piling up or feelings accumulating over time.
• Basic usage: 雪が積もる describes snow reaching a measured depth, while 不満が積もる figuratively describes resentment building inside someone.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Snow measured in the garden
  • By morning, snow in the garden has accumulated to twenty centimeters. Example: 朝には庭に雪が二十センチも積もっていました。 — By morning, twenty centimeters of snow had accumulated in the garden.
• Resentment leading to an argument
  • Accumulated resentment eventually leads to an argument. Example: 不満が胸の中に積もり、ついに口論になりました。 — Resentment built up and finally led to an argument.