Translation guide
How to talk about leftover food, remaining items, or things left behind in Japanese.
Referring to food that remains after a meal, either to be saved or thrown away.
The most common and neutral word for leftover food. Can be used for food saved for later or food left uneaten.
残り物を冷蔵庫に入れてください。
Please put the leftovers in the fridge.
残り物で昼ごはんを作った。
I made lunch from leftovers.
Specifically refers to food left on a plate after eating, often implying it will be discarded. More negative nuance than 残り物.
食べ残しは捨ててください。
Please throw away the leftovers (food left on plates).
Similar to 残り物 but can also refer to surplus or excess food, not necessarily from a meal. Less common.
余り物を近所に配った。
I distributed the leftover food to the neighbors.
Referring to non-food items that are left after the rest has been used, taken, or finished.
General noun meaning 'remainder' or 'leftover part'. Used for both tangible and intangible things.
仕事の残りは明日やります。
I'll do the rest of the work tomorrow.
残りのお金はいくらですか。
How much money is left?
Often used for surplus, excess, or something left over after division. Can imply 'more than needed'.
Things that remain in a place after someone has left, often accidentally.
Specifically means something left behind by mistake (lost property). Not used for intentional leftovers.
電車に忘れ物をした。
I left something on the train.
The act of leaving something behind unintentionally. Often used as a noun or in compound verbs.
傘の置き忘れに注意。
Be careful not to leave your umbrella behind.
Food you couldn't finish at a restaurant and want to take home.
Means 'takeout' or 'to-go'. Used when asking to take leftovers home. Often used with できますか.
これ、持ち帰りできますか。
Can I take this home? (Can I get this to go?)
Polite version of 持ち帰り, often used by staff or in formal requests.
残り物 is neutral and can refer to food saved for later. 食べ残し implies food left on a plate after eating, often with a negative connotation of waste.
残り物 is almost exclusively for food. For other leftover items, use 残り or 余り.
I made cookies with the leftover ingredients.
Would you like to take it home? (Would you like it to go?)