frequent / heaped
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frequent
Describes the increased or above-average frequent occurrence of something within a certain period of time.
In den letzten Wochen kam es gehäuft zu Beschwerden über den Lärm.
In recent weeks, there have been frequent complaints about the noise.
'Gehäuft' is the past participle of the verb 'häufen' (to pile up, to accumulate). It is closely related to the noun 'der Haufen' (a pile, a heap, a large amount). So the basic idea is always that something accumulates or becomes more.
Die Post hat sich während unseres Urlaubs im Briefkasten gehäuft.
The mail piled up in the mailbox during our vacation.
You can easily distinguish the two meanings: if people are talking about events occurring frequently, the first meaning is intended. If people are talking about a quantity in cooking or baking (e.g. with a spoon), the second meaning is intended.
In letzter Zeit treten technische Probleme gehäuft auf.
Technical problems have been occurring frequently lately.
In the meaning 'increased' or 'frequently', the word is almost always used as an adverb. It then describes how a verb happens, for example 'gehäuft auftreten' (to occur frequently) or 'gehäuft vorkommen' (to happen frequently).
Nach dem Software-Update meldeten sich die Nutzer gehäuft mit Problemen.
After the software update, users frequently contacted support with problems.
In the meaning 'with a small mound', 'gehäuft' (heaped) is used as an adjective directly before a noun. It is typically combined with units of measurement such as 'Löffel' (spoon) or 'Teelöffel' (teaspoon).
Das Rezept verlangt zwei gehäufte Teelöffel Mehl.
The recipe calls for two heaped teaspoons of flour.
frequent
'häufig' and 'gehäuft' both describe something happening often. 'häufig' is the general word and fits many everyday situations. 'gehäuft' is used more when something occurs noticeably often within a certain period of time or in a certain place, meaning more than normal. The words can be confused because both express a high number. 'häufig' simply says: it happens often. 'gehäuft' says this more strongly: it stands out because cases are accumulating or suddenly happening more often.
In den letzten Wochen treten in der Klasse gehäuft Erkältungen auf.
In recent weeks, colds have been occurring frequently in the class.
Das Kind fragt im Supermarkt häufig nach Süßigkeiten.
The child often asks for sweets at the supermarket.