Spanish Phrase
El rencor se va acumulando con el tiempo.
Meaning
The sentence means “Resentment builds up over time.” It conveys that grudges do not disappear quickly; the longer they are held, the stronger they become.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to comment on the gradual increase of negative feelings, especially in personal relationships or conflicts, to explain why someone remains distant or hostile.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Elrencorsevaacumulandoconeltiempo
Se va + gerundio
Used to express an action that is gradually happening over time.
Pronombre reflexivo se
Here "se" belongs to the pronominal verb "acumularse", indicating the resentment accumulates by itself.
Con el tiempo
A common phrase meaning "as time passes" or "over time".
🗨In Conversation
¿Por qué sigues tan distante con él?
Why are you still so distant from him?
El rencor se va acumulando con el tiempo.
Resentment builds up over time.
✕Common Mistakes
El rencor va acumulando con el tiempo.
The verb is reflexive; you need the pronoun "se" before "va".
El rencor se va acumulando el tiempo.
The preposition "con" is required; omitting it makes the sentence ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
El rencor crece con el tiempo.
Resentment grows with time.
Con el paso del tiempo, el rencor se intensifica.
As time passes, the resentment intensifies.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking cultures, talking about "rencor" is a way to reflect on unresolved conflicts. The construction "se va acumulando" adds a nuance of inevitability, suggesting the feeling is gathering on its own. In some Latin American regions people may prefer "crece" or "se va armando" for a more colloquial tone.