余 (Excess) - Meaning and history | Japanese Kanji

The kanji 余 means excess, surplus, extra, margin, remain, other.

余 is used to indicate something that is too much, in excess, or something that is left over, surplus or extra.

In this post we learn in detail the meaning of 余, its origin, and how it is used through real example sentences.

Origin of the kanji 余

The kanji 余 is composed of the following elements (from the top to the bottom of the kanji):

• 人: kanji of person, which appears at the top of the kanji 余

• 于: radical

• ハ: radical

What does kanji mean 余

The kanji 余 indicates something that is in excess, in greater quantity than is expected. The kanji appears on its own as 余(よ), which means other or remaining, something that has remained because in access.

余 is then joined with other kanji to convey the meaning of excess, surplus, extra.

Kanji readings 余

Let's now see the various On and Kun readings that the kanji 余 assumes.

Kun readings of the kanji 余 🇯🇵

あま.る

The reading あま.る is used for the verb 余(あま)る, which means to remain, to be in excess, to be too much.

あま.り

The verb 余(あま)る becomes the term 余(あま)り which in turn indicates:

• As a noun: remaining, excessive

• As an adverb, inserted in sentences in the negative form (~ない): not much, not too much

あま.す

The kanji 余 also has another meaning in its reading 余(あま)す, a verb meaning to save, to set aside.

あんま.り

The reading あんま is an alternative reading for 余(あま)り, with the same meaning.

On readings of the kanji 余 🇨🇳

よ

よ is the most common reading of the kanji 余 and is used in conjunction with other kanji.

Some words that use the よ reading of the kanji 余 are:

• 余(よ)裕(ゆう): margin, surplus

• 余(よ)計(けい): extra, unnecessary, superfluous

Examples of the kanji 余