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.
何が残っていますか？
What is left?
何も残っていません。
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.
残りはあと少しです。
There is only a little left.
残りの時間はどれくらいですか。
How much time is left?
Often used for 'leftover' or 'surplus', especially when something is extra or more than needed. Can imply excess.
余りのお金は貯金します。
I'll save the leftover money.
Verb phrase meaning 'is left' or 'remains'. Used for ongoing state of something being left.
まだ食べ物が残っていますか。
Is there still food left?
何が残っているか確認しよう。
Let's check what is left.
Specifically refers to leftover items, often food or things left behind.
残り物で夕食を作った。
I made dinner with the leftovers.
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.
彼が去った後、残されたものは何もなかった。
After he left, there was nothing left.
What remains or will remain. Often used in abstract or philosophical contexts.
最後に残るものは思い出だけだ。
What remains in the end is only memories.
Referring to people who remain after others have left or been selected.
The people who stayed or were left behind. Neutral and common.
残った人で掃除をしましょう。
Let's clean up with the people who are left.
Survivor; someone who remains alive after a disaster or battle. Not for everyday 'leftover people'.
彼は事故の唯一の生き残りだ。
He is the sole survivor of the accident.
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).
残りのケーキを食べてもいい？
Can I eat the remaining cake?
余りのケーキを冷凍した。
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.