馀 (yú) - Surplus, remainder & excess

馀Tone 2

yú ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

咏与

馀 · yú

Surplus, remainder;

excess;

leftover;

surviving;

also used in names meaning abundant or plentiful.

Surplus, remainderexcessleftover

Usage highlights

Leftover foodRemaining yearsSurplus fundsSurvivorSurplus grainRemaining strength

Synonyms

  • 剩— surplus, leftover
  • 余— surplus, remainder (simplified form)
  • 盈— full, surplus

Antonyms

  • 缺— lack, shortage
  • 乏— lack, be short of
  • 欠— owe, lack

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There is leftover food (馀食).
  • He is a survivor of that era (馀生).
  • We have surplus funds (馀款).
  • The remaining years of one's life (馀年).

Collocations

  • Leftover food(馀食)
  • Remaining years(馀年)
  • Surplus funds(馀款)
  • Survivor(馀生)
  • Surplus grain(馀粮)
  • Remaining strength(馀力)

Idioms

  • To have strength to spare(游刃有馀)
  • Aftertaste that lingers(馀音绕梁)
  • Heart full of lingering fear(心有馀悸)
  • To die without regret(死有馀辜)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant surplus grain, extended to mean abundance and prosperity.
  • In names, conveys wishes for abundance, prosperity, and having more than enough.
  • Used in classical texts to denote what remains or survives beyond necessity.

FAQ