sich häufen
to pile up
To accumulate in large numbers or quantities; to become more and more numerous.
EXAMPLE
In letzter Zeit häufen sich die Beschwerden über den Lärm.
Recently, complaints about the noise have been piling up.
häufen
to pile up
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Meanings
häufen
to pile up
To stack something into a pile or gather it together.
EXAMPLE
Der Gärtner häuft das Laub in einer Ecke des Gartens.
The gardener piles the leaves in a corner of the garden.
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'häufen' (to pile up) is closely related to the noun 'der Haufen' (the pile, the heap). It describes the action of making something into a pile or of something becoming a pile.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder häufen Sand zu einer großen Burg.
The children pile sand into a large castle.
Reflexive vs. transitive
There are two uses: 'sich häufen' (to pile up, reflexive) means that something increases on its own, often with abstract things. 'etwas häufen' (to pile something up, transitive) means that someone actively gathers something into a pile.
EXAMPLE
Die Fehler in dem Dokument häufen sich.
The errors in the document are piling up.
Typical collocations
The reflexive form 'sich häufen' (to pile up) is usually used for abstract things that increase in number. Typical subjects are 'die Probleme' (the problems), 'die Fehler' (the errors), 'die Anfragen' (the inquiries), or 'die Beschwerden' (the complaints).
EXAMPLE
Seit der neuen Software häufen sich die Probleme im System.
Since the new software was introduced, problems in the system have been piling up.
Compare with
häufen vs sammeln
to collect / gather
Sammeln refers to bringing several things together and can emphasize making a deliberate selection. Häufen, by contrast, means stacking things into a pile. When the result is meant to be a pile, häufen is the better choice.
häufen
Im Garten häuft Lina die trockenen Blätter neben dem Weg auf.
In the garden, Lina piles the dry leaves up beside the path.
sammeln
Im Garten sammelt Lina die trockenen Blätter in einem Korb.
In the garden, Lina collects the dry leaves in a basket.
In real life
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