1.
piling up, accumulation, mountain of (problems, work, etc.)
A large quantity of things piled up. Most commonly used figuratively to describe an overwhelming number of problems, tasks, or issues that need to be dealt with.
問題が山積している。
Problems are piling up.
課題が山積する中、優先順位を決める必要がある。
With tasks piling up, we need to decide on priorities.
新しい市長は就任早々、財政赤字や人口減少など山積する問題に取り組まなければならなかった。
The new mayor had to tackle a mountain of problems such as fiscal deficits and population decline right after taking office.
STRUCTURE:
山 (mountain) + 積 (accumulate, pile up). Literally "piled up like a mountain."
USAGE:
山積 is used both as a noun and as a する verb (山積する). It is predominantly used in figurative contexts, especially with 問題 (problems) and 課題 (tasks/issues). It carries a sense of being overwhelmed by the sheer volume. Common in news reporting and business contexts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 問題が山積する: problems pile up
- 課題が山積している: tasks are piled up
- 山積する問題: a mountain of problems