What does “atsumeru” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “atsumeru” often to mean ‘to collect’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this verb as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I will explain it together with its major conjugations. And also, I will explain how to use them through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners use “atsumeru” more properly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
- Definition and meanings of “atsumeru”
- Atsumenai: the nai form of “atsumeru”
- Atsumeyou: the volitional form of “atsumeru”
- Atsumemasu: the masu form of “atsumeru”
- Atsumeta: the past tense form of “atsumeru”
- Atsumete: the te form of “atsumeru”
- Atsumereba: the ba form of “atsumeru”
- Summary
Definition and meanings of “atsumeru”
Let me start with the definition and meanings of “atsumeru”.
- atsumeru – 集める (あつめる) : a verb meaning ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ in Japanese.
The definition and meanings are simple and clear. Then, let me explain how to use this verb through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “collect” in Japanese
karasu wa hikaru mono wo atsumeru – 烏は光るものを集める (からすはひかるるものをあつめる)
Crows collect shiny things.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- karasu – 烏 (からす) : a noun meaning ‘crow’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this works after “karasu” to make the subject in the sentence.
- hikaru – 光る (ひかる) : a verb meaning ‘to shine’ or such in Japanese. In the example, this works as a modifier in front of “mono”.
- mono – もの : a noun meaning ‘thing’ or such in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- wo – を : a case particle used to make the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “hikaru mono” to make the object in the sentence.
This is a typical usage of “atsumeru”. In this example, it works together with the case particle, “wo”, to have the object. Anyway, when we want to mean ‘to collect’ in Japanese, this verb is a very good option.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “atsumeru” and how to use it through the example sentence. In the rest part of this blog post, I will explain its major conjugations. The first one is “atsumenai”.
Atsumenai: the nai form of “atsumeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “atsumenai”.
- atsumenai – 集めない (あつめない) : the nai form of “atsumeru”, which means ‘not to collect’ or ‘not to gather’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “atsumenai” consists of the following two parts:
- atsume – 集め (あつめ) : one conjugation of “atsumeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “nai”.
- nai – ない : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to deny its meaning. Word orders in Japanese and English are different, but the role of this auxiliary verb is very similar to that of “not”.
From these two parts, we can understand that “atsumenai” is literally the nai form of “atsumeru” and means ‘not to collect’ or ‘not to gather’ in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #2: how to say “not collect” in Japanese
boku wa hikaru mono wo atsumenai – 僕は光るものを集めない (ぼくはひかるものをあつめない)
I don’t collect shiny things.
Below is the new word used in the example sentence.
- boku – 僕 (ぼく) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese. This is used mainly by boys and young males.
This is a typical usage of “atsumenai”. When we want to mean ‘not to collect’ in Japanese, this nai form is a good option.
Atsumeyou: the volitional form of “atsumeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “atsumeyou”.
- atsumeyou – 集めよう (あつめよう) : the volitional form of “atsumeru”, which expresses volition to collect or gather in Japanese.
Grammatically, “atsumeyou” consists of the following two parts:
- atsume – 集め (あつめ) : one conjugation of “atsumeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “you”.
- you – よう : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make its volitional form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “atsumeyou” is literally the volitional form of “atsumeru” and expresses volition to collect or gather in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “let’s collect” in Japanese
furui kouka wo atsumeyou – 古い硬貨を集めよう (ふるいこうかをあつめよう)
Let’s collect old coins!
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- furui – 古い (ふるい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘old’ in Japanese.
- kouka – 硬貨 (こうか) : a noun meaning ‘coin’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
This is a typical usage of “atsumeyou”. In this example, it works to make the suggestion. When we want to say “let’s collect” in Japanese, this volitional form is a good option.
Atsumemasu: the masu form of “atsumeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “atsumemasu”.
- atsumemasu – 集めます (あつめます) : the masu form of “atsumeru”, which means ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ politely in Japanese.
Grammatically, “atsumemasu” consists of the following two parts:
- atsume – 集め (あつめ) : one conjugation of “atsumeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “masu”.
- masu – ます : an auxiliary verb used after a verb to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese masu form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “atsumemasu” is literally the masu form of “atsumeru” and means ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ politely in Japanese. Then, let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #4: how to say “collect” politely in Japanese
gakusei tachi wa furui hon wo atsumemasu – 学生達は古い本を集めます (がくせいたちはふるいほんをあつめます)
Students collect old books.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- gakusei – 学生 (がくせい) : a noun meaning ‘student’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
- tachi – 達 (たち) : a suffix used after a noun or pronoun to make its plural form. In the example, this is used after “gakusei” to make its plural form, “gakusei tachi”, which means ‘students’ in Japanese.
- hon – 本 (ほん) : a noun meaning ‘book’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
This is a typical usage of “atsumemasu”. Its politeness has not been reflected in the English sentence, but the Japanese sentence sounds polite thanks to the masu form. When we want to mean ‘to collect’ politely in Japanese, this form is a good option.
Atsumeta: the past tense form of “atsumeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “atsumeta”.
- atsumeta – 集めた (あつめた) : the past tense form of “atsumeru”, which means ‘collected’, ‘gathered’, or such in Japanese.
Grammatically, “atsumeta” consists of the following two parts:
- atsume – 集め (あつめ) : one conjugation of “atsumeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ta”.
- ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “atsumeta” is literally the past tense form of “atsumeru” and means ‘collected’, ‘gathered’, or such in Japanese. Let me explain how to use this form through the example sentence below.
Example #5: how to say “collected” in Japanese
kanojo wa atarashii fuku wo atsumeta – 彼女は新しい服を集めた (かのじょはあたらしいふくをあつめた)
She collected new clothes.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
- atarashii – 新しい (あたらしい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘new’ in Japanese.
- fuku – 服 (ふく) : a noun meaning ‘clothes’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “atsumeta”. When we want to use the past tense form of “atsumeru”, this form is the best option.
Atsumete: the te form of “atsumeru”
Below are the definition and meanings of “atsumete”.
- atsumete – 集めて (あつめて) : the te form of “atsumeru”, which means ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “atsumete” consists of the following two parts:
- atsume – 集め (あつめ) : one conjugation of “atsumeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “te”.
- te – て : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its te form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “atsumete” is literally the te form of “atsumeru”. In Japanese, te-formed words have some important roles. One of them is make smooth connections of words. So, “atsumete” is very useful when we want to use “atsumeru” in front of another verb, an adjective, or an auxiliary verb. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #6: how to say “collect and” in Japanese
watashi wa okane wo atsumete harau – 私はお金を集めて払う (わたしはおかねをあつめてはらう)
I collect money and pay.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
- okane – お金 (おかね) : a noun meaning ‘money’ in Japanese.
- harau – 払う (はらう) : a verb meaning ‘to pay’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “atsumete”. In the example, it has the smooth connection with “harau”. When we want to use “atsumete” in front of another verb like this, its te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
Atsumereba: the ba form of “atsumeru”
Lastly, let me explain the definition and meanings of “atsumereba”.
- atsumereba – 集めれば (あつめれば) : the ba form of “atsumeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ in Japanese.
Grammatically, “atsumereba” consists of the following two parts:
- atsumere – 集めれ (あつめれ) : one conjugation of “atsumeru”. This can have a smooth connection with “ba”.
- ba – ば : a conjunctive particle used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its ba form.
From these two parts, we can understand that “atsumereba” is literally the ba form of “atsumeru”. In Japanese, the ba forms of words can work as their conditional forms. So, we can use “atsumereba” to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ in Japanese. Let me explain this usage through the example sentence below.
Example #7: how to say “if collect” in Japanese
okane wo atsumereba, watashi wa yachin wo haraeru – お金を集めれば、私は家賃を払える (おかねをあつめれば、わたしはやちんをはらえる)
If I collect money, I can pay the rent.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- yachin – 家賃 (やちん) : a noun meaning ‘rent’ in Japanese.
- haraeru – 払える (はらえる) : a potential verb meaning ‘can pay’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “atsumereba”. In this example, it works as a part of the conditional clause, “okane wo atsumereba”, which means ‘if I collect money’ in Japanese. When we want to make a conditional clause in a sentence with adding the meaning of ‘to collect’ in Japanese, this ba form is a good option.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of “atsumeru” together with its major conjugations. And also, I’ve explained how to use them through the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.
- atsumeru – 集める (あつめる) : a verb meaning ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ in Japanese.
- atsumenai – 集めない (あつめない) : the nai form of “atsumeru”, which means ‘not to collect’ or ‘not to gather’ in Japanese.
- atsumeyou – 集めよう (あつめよう) : the volitional form of “atsumeru”, which expresses volition to collect or gather in Japanese.
- atsumemasu – 集めます (あつめます) : the masu form of “atsumeru”, which means ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ politely in Japanese.
- atsumeta – 集めた (あつめた) : the past tense form of “atsumeru”, which means ‘collected’, ‘gathered’, or such in Japanese.
- atsumete – 集めて (あつめて) : the te form of “atsumeru”, which means ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ in Japanese. When we want to use “atsumete” in front of another verb, this te form is very useful to make a smooth connection.
- atsumereba – 集めれば (あつめれば) : the ba form of “atsumeru”, which makes a conditional clause in a sentence with meaning ‘to collect’ or ‘to gather’ in Japanese.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
