1.
to pile up, to stack
To place things one on top of another.
皿を重ねる。
To stack plates.
布を二枚重ねる。
To layer two pieces of cloth.
段ボール箱を三つ重ねて棚の上に置いた。
I stacked three cardboard boxes and put them on top of the shelf.
2.
to repeat, to accumulate
To do something repeatedly over time.
努力を重ねる。
To make repeated efforts.
年を重ねる。
To grow older.
Lit: to pile up years
何度も話し合いを重ねた結果、ようやく合意に達した。
After repeated discussions, they finally reached an agreement.
重ねる means to pile up or stack (literally), and to repeat or accumulate (figuratively).
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Pair: 重なる (intransitive, "to pile up")
ASPECT (ている):
重ねている indicates an ongoing state of having been stacked, or continued repetition.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 皿を重ねる: to stack plates
- 努力を重ねる: to make repeated efforts
- 年を重ねる: to grow older (lit. pile up years)
- 経験を重ねる: to accumulate experience
- 話し合いを重ねる: to have repeated discussions
The figurative sense emphasizes gradual accumulation over time.