余り

• Reading: あまり
• Romaji: amari
• Kanji breakdown: 余 (yo/ama) — surplus, excess, remainder
• Pronunciation: /a.ma.ɾi/

Meaning

Remainder; surplus; not very; not much. Expresses excess or, with negation, insufficiency.

A versatile word functioning as both a noun (remainder, surplus) and an adverb (not very, when used with negative verbs). As a noun: 余りのケーキ (leftover cake). As an adverb with negative: 余り好きではない (not very fond of). Also used after numbers to mean 'more than,' as in 三十余り (over thirty). Written in hiragana when used adverbially.

Examples

1. あまり甘いものは食べないようにしている。 I try not to eat too many sweets.
2. お金の余りは貯金に回した。 I put the leftover money into savings.
3. あまり無理しないでくださいね。 Please don't push yourself too hard.

Usage Guide

Context: daily conversation, writing, mathematics

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 余 originally depicted a roof over surplus grain, representing excess or leftover abundance.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal