Translation guide
This entry covers how to express the idea of 'what is left' — the remaining part, quantity, or items — in Japanese. It focuses on natural ways to talk about leftovers, remaining time, money, people, and other countable or uncountable remainders.
What is left?
There is nothing left.
Expressing what remains after some has been used, taken, or gone.
The most common and versatile word for 'what is left' or 'the remainder'. Works for objects, time, money, food, etc.
There is only a little left.
How much time is left?
Often used for 'leftover' or 'surplus', especially when something is extra or more than needed. Can imply excess.
Verb phrase meaning 'is left' or 'remains'. Used for ongoing state of something being left.
Is there still food left?
Specifically refers to leftover items, often food or things left behind.
Focusing on the result or remainder after something is finished, such as work, tasks, or consequences.
Literally 'things that were left behind'. Used for what remains after someone leaves or after an event, often with a nuance of being left by someone or something.
After he left, there was nothing left.
What remains or will remain. Often used in abstract or philosophical contexts.
What remains in the end is only memories.
Referring to people who remain after others have left or been selected.
残り (nokori) is the general term for 'remainder' or 'what is left' after some has been used or taken. 余り (amari) often implies 'surplus' or 'extra' beyond what is needed. For example, 残りの時間 (remaining time) vs 余りの時間 (spare time).
Can I eat the remaining cake?
I froze the extra cake.
The phrase 'what is left' is often expressed with 残っているもの or 残り, not a direct word-for-word translation. Using 何が左 (nani ga hidari) would be incorrect and confusing.
I'll save the leftover money.
何が残っているか確認しよう。
Let's check what is left.
I made dinner with the leftovers.
He is the sole survivor of the accident.