to accumulate
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to accumulate
To deliberately collect a large amount of something over a longer period of time. This can refer to material things or to abstract things such as debt, knowledge, or wealth.
Im Laufe der Jahre hat er ein beachtliches Vermögen angehäuft.
Over the years, he accumulated a considerable fortune.
to pile up
To accumulate in large quantities; to grow into a pile or a large amount, often without active involvement.
Auf meinem Schreibtisch hat sich ein riesiger Stapel unerledigter Arbeit angehäuft.
A huge pile of unfinished work has piled up on my desk.
'Anhäufen' (to accumulate / to pile up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'an-' stands at the end in a main clause, while in a subordinate clause it remains attached to the verb. In the infinitive with 'zu', 'zu' stands between the prefix and the verb.
Über die Zeit häufte er eine große Sammlung an.
Over time, he accumulated a large collection.
The use of 'anhäufen' (to accumulate / to pile up) differs strongly: The active form ('etwas anhäufen' (to accumulate something)) describes a deliberate action by a person. The reflexive form ('etwas häuft sich an' (something piles up)) describes a process that often happens passively or by itself.
Der Sammler hat bewusst seltene Briefmarken angehäuft.
The collector deliberately accumulated rare stamps.
When a person actively accumulates something, it is often abstract things. Typical combinations are 'Wissen anhäufen' (to accumulate knowledge), 'Erfahrung anhäufen' (to accumulate experience), or 'Schulden anhäufen' (to accumulate debt).
Durch die vielen Kredite hat das Unternehmen enorme Schulden angehäuft.
Because of the many loans, the company accumulated enormous debts.
When something accumulates by itself, it is often unfinished or unpleasant things. Common examples are 'Arbeit häuft sich an' (work piles up), 'das Geschirr häuft sich an' (the dishes pile up), or 'die Rechnungen häufen sich an' (the bills pile up).
Wenn man nicht regelmäßig spült, häuft sich schnell das schmutzige Geschirr an.
If you don't wash up regularly, the dirty dishes quickly pile up.
to collect / gather
Sammeln and anhäufen both mean bringing things together over a longer period of time. Sammeln usually sounds deliberate and organized, while anhäufen places greater emphasis on the large, often excessive quantity. Sammeln fits a collection built up intentionally; for a very large quantity, anhäufen is more appropriate.
Im Keller hat die Familie über Jahre eine große Menge alter Möbel angehäuft.
Over the years, the family accumulated a large quantity of old furniture in the basement.
Mira sammelt gezielt seltene Münzen für ihre Sammlung.
Mira deliberately collects rare coins for her collection.
