expression, na-adjective
only a few left; little remaining
Describes a small remaining quantity of something, often used in contexts like stock, time, or food. Functions as a noun-like phrase or adjectival noun.
タイムセールは残りわずかです。
Only a little time left for the flash sale.
冷蔵庫に食材が残りわずかしかない。
There's only a little food left in the fridge.
わずか alone means 'a little' or 'only', while 残りわずか specifically focuses on what remains.
残り少ない is a more direct adjective meaning 'few remaining', often used similarly but 残りわずか can sound slightly more formal or written.
Compound of 残り (remainder) + わずか (a little). The exact historical derivation is straightforward; the phrase is a modern collocation.