余
too much, myself, surplus, other, remainder
Readings
On'yomi
- ヨ
Kun'yomi
- あま.る
- あま.り
- あま.す
- あんま.り
Nanori
- あまる
Meaning
余 centers on what is left over or beyond what is needed: a surplus, remainder, or excess. The sense of 'myself' or 'other' is a less common literary usage that can be seen as a separate, somewhat archaic application.
Most common words using 余
24 of 192- 余りあまりN5
remainder; remnant; rest; balance; surplus; remains (of a meal); leftovers
- 余裕よゆうN3
surplus; margin; leeway; room; space; time; allowance; flexibility; scope
- 余りにあまりにN2
too (much); overly; excessively
- 余計よけいN2
extra; more; too much; too many; excessive; superfluous; spare; surplus
- 余るあまるN3
to remain; to be left over; to be in excess; to be too many
- 余地よちN1
place; room; margin; scope
- 余所よそN2
another place; somewhere else; strange parts
- 余程よほどN2
very; greatly; much; to a large extent; quite
- 余分よぶんN3
extra; excess; surplus
- 余儀なくよぎなく
unavoidably; necessarily; inevitably
- 余命よめい
remainder of one's life; one's remaining days; time left (to live)
- 余談よだんN1
digression
- 余韻よいん
reverberation; swelling (of a hymn); trailing note
- 余剰よじょう
surplus; remainder; residue; margin; balance
- 余震よしん
aftershock
- 余暇よかN1
leisure; leisure time; spare time
- 余力よりょく
remaining strength; surplus energy; reserve power
- 余波よは
waves that remain after the wind has subsided
- 余すあますN1
to save; to leave over; to spare
- 余念よねん
another idea
- 余人よじん
others; other people
- 余儀ないよぎない
unavoidable; inevitable; beyond one's control
- 剰余金じょうよきん
surplus; balance
- 余儀なくされるよぎなくされる
to be forced to do or experience something (against one's will); to be forced to do something because one has no other choice
Study
Etymology
余 originally depicted a simple dwelling or shelter, which later came to represent the idea of surplus or excess through phonetic loan. The modern form is simplified from an older shape that included a roof-like element.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 亼 looks like a lid covering a container, and the bottom 朩 resembles a tree or wooden stand. Imagine a container so full that the lid can't close, leaving a surplus of goods piled on top.
Reading mnemonic
For ヨ, picture a yo-yo that has too much string: the extra string is a surplus, and 'yo' cues ヨ.