To Store Up
To Amass, To Build Up
transitive verb, ichidan verb
Because the hiragana ends with an う sound, you know this word is a verb. The kanji itself means amass and the verb vocab version is to store up — as in gradually gathering and keeping something so it's there when you need it.
This often relates to storing up food or supplies. In the same vein, it can mean to amass a fortune for later use, or to build up things like stamina and knowledge to slowly prepare yourself for something. You can even say ヒゲを蓄える (to build up or grow facial hair). Readiness comes in many forms, you know?
Since this word consists of a kanji with hiragana attached, you can bet that it will use the kun'yomi reading. You didn't learn that reading with this kanji, so here's a mnemonic to help you:
You need to store up things, so you take one (たくわ) and put it aside, then take one more and put it aside again. Repeat this to amass all kinds of things over time. It's the best way to build up a nice little stash.
力を蓄える
to store up strength
知識を蓄える
to accumulate knowledge
栄養を蓄える
to store up nutrition
蓄えたお金
saved money
蓄えたエネルギー
stored energy
蓄えた熱
stored heat
たっぷり蓄える
to store up plenty
しっかり蓄える
to store up properly
じっくり蓄える
to store up methodically
朝ごはんを食べて脳にエネルギーを蓄えるのは大切なことです。
It's important to eat breakfast and store up energy for your brain.
何年もかけて蓄えたノウハウを千円で売れって言うんですか？
Are you telling me to sell the know-how I've built up over years for just a thousand yen?
何で毎日プリン食べてるかって？冬に向けて脂肪を蓄えてるのよ。
You're asking why I eat pudding every day? I'm storing up fat for the winter.
彼はとても立派な口髭を蓄えています。
He's growing such a splendid mustache.