Translation guide
The concept of 'remainder' in English covers leftover items, mathematical remainders, and remaining people or time. Japanese uses different words depending on context.
Referring to what is left after using or taking part of something, such as food, money, or objects.
The most common and versatile word for 'remainder' or 'leftover'. Used for food, time, money, etc.
残りのお金はいくらですか？
How much is the remaining money?
残りの時間でこれを終わらせよう。
Let's finish this in the remaining time.
Often used for surplus or excess, but can mean 'remainder'. Common in phrases like '余り物' (leftovers).
余った食材で料理を作った。
I made a dish with the leftover ingredients.
Specifically refers to leftover items, often food or goods.
残り物で夕食を済ませた。
I made do with leftovers for dinner.
The number left over after division.
The standard term for remainder in arithmetic.
10を3で割ると、余りは1です。
If you divide 10 by 3, the remainder is 1.
The people who are left after others have left or been accounted for.
Literally 'remaining people'. Natural and clear.
残りの人はここで待っていてください。
The remaining people, please wait here.
Means 'the other people', often used when a group is split.
他の人はもう帰りました。
The others have already gone home.
Unsold copies of a book sold at a reduced price.
Publishing term for remaining copies. Not commonly used in daily conversation.
その本は残部僅少です。
The remaining copies of that book are few.
Unsold goods, including books. Can have a negative nuance of being unwanted.
残り (nokori) is the most general term for 'remainder' and can be used for almost anything left over. 余り (amari) often implies surplus or excess, and is the standard term in mathematics. In everyday speech, 残り is more common for physical leftovers.
残りのケーキを食べてもいい？
Can I eat the remaining cake?
余ったケーキは冷凍しよう。
Let's freeze the leftover cake (the excess).
売れ残りの本が安く売られていた。
Remaindered books were being sold cheaply.