How to say "remainder" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- no-adjectiveCovers 'remainder' in the everyday sense of what is left over, such as leftover food or time. Often written in kana alone, and very common in speech.
- 残りのこりno-adjectiveThe everyday word for the rest or what is left of something, such as remaining time, money, or food. A safe default choice for most ordinary 'remainder' contexts.
- 残高ざんだかnounSpecifically a bank or account balance — the amount of money remaining in an account. This is the right word only for that financial sense, not for remainders in general.
- 余剰よじょうnoun, prenominal modifierRefers to a surplus or excess amount left over beyond what is needed, often in formal or technical contexts such as economics or production. Not the everyday word for 'the rest'.
- 残余ざんよno-adjectiveA formal word for the remainder or residue, used in written or technical contexts such as law or chemistry. Unnatural for casual talk about what is left over, where あまり or 残り fits better.
Use 「あまり」 or 「残り」 for 'the rest' of something in everyday contexts; 残高 for bank balances; 余剰 and 残余 for surplus or residue, typically in formal or technical writing.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
