积压 is a verb meaning 'to pile up' or 'to backlog'—referring to items, tasks, or goods that accumulate over time because they haven’t been processed, sold, or dealt with. The first character 积 (jī) means 'to accumulate' or 'to store up', while 压 (yā) literally means 'to press down' or 'to weigh down'; together, they evoke the image of things piling up and creating pressure or obstruction. This word often carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting inefficiency, delay, or oversupply.

It’s commonly used in business, logistics, administration, and personal contexts—for example, unsold inventory, overdue paperwork, or pending applications. Unlike general words for 'accumulate' like 累积 (lěi jī), 积压 specifically implies an undesirable buildup that hinders progress. It’s frequently found in news reports, company memos, and everyday complaints about delays or bottlenecks.