noun, noun-modifying (irregular)
Refers to an amount left over after needs are met, often used in economic, financial, or quantitative contexts. Can modify nouns directly (e.g., 余剰資金).
This year's budget produced a surplus.
Transfer surplus personnel to other departments.
Production increased so much that the inventory became surplus.
The company announced a plan to reduce its surplus staff.
We decided to invest the surplus funds in a new business.
過剰 stresses that an amount is too much or excessive, whereas 余剰 simply describes what remains after needs are met, without necessarily implying it is too much.
残余 is a formal, often legal or accounting term for what is left over, very close to 余剰 but used more in contract or estate contexts.
剰余金 specifically refers to a monetary surplus in accounting, while 余剰 is a broader term for excess of any kind (goods, resources, funds).
余剰 emphasizes a leftover surplus (e.g., of goods or labor) after use, whereas 過多 simply describes an amount that is too great.
剰余 uses the same two kanji as 余剰 but in reverse order and is mainly a mathematical/accounting term for a remainder, so learners often mix up which order is standard.
Compound of 余 (yo, 'extra, surplus') and 剰 (jō, 'surplus, excess'). Both kanji reinforce the meaning of something left over.