Meaning
The kanji 残 means 'remaining,' 'being left over,' or 'the remainder.' It describes something that persists or is kept after a larger portion has been removed, used, or destroyed. This kanji is used to describe concepts like leftovers, outstanding balances, lingering feelings, or overtime work.
Its visual form offers a clue about its meaning. The kanji 残 is made up of two parts: the radical 歹 on the left, which signifies 'death,' 'bone,' or 'decay.' On the right is the component 戋, an old character meaning 'small,' 'insignificant,' or 'few.' It can also imply something cut or separated into small pieces.
Together, these elements suggest a powerful image: what is left (戋) after death or destruction (歹). Imagine only a few bones remaining after something has perished, or a small fragment left after something has been broken or used up. This etymology effectively connects the kanji's shape to its core meaning of what is left behind or what remains.
The kanji 残 has 10 strokes and is taught in Grade 4 of elementary school in Japan, making it an important character for intermediate learners aiming for the N3 level of the JLPT.
Readings
To use 残 correctly, it's key to understand its different readings. Like many kanji, it has both On'yomi (Chinese-derived) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different situations.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi for 残 is ザン (ZAN). This reading is typically used when 残 is part of a compound word, often paired with another kanji to create a noun or a Sino-Japanese verb. You'll often find it in words about leftover quantities, regret, or things that persist.
- 残業 (zangyou) — This compound refers to "overtime work." It combines 残 (remain) with 業 (work, business), literally 'remaining work' (work that remains beyond regular hours).
- 残念 (zannen) — Meaning "regrettable," "disappointing," or "too bad." Here, 残 (remain) combines with 念 (thought, feeling), signifying a lingering feeling, often of regret or disappointment that something wasn't achieved or went wrong.
- 残飯 (zanpan) — This word means "leftover food" or "table scraps." It combines 残 (remain) with 飯 (meal, cooked rice).
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The Kun'yomi readings of 残 are mainly found in native Japanese verbs and their conjugated forms. These readings often appear with okurigana (送り仮名), which are hiragana characters added to the kanji to complete the word and show its grammatical role.
のこ.る (noko.ru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning "to remain," "to be left," or "to stay behind." It describes a state where something continues to exist, hasn't been fully consumed, or hasn't departed.
残る (nokoru) — to remain, to be left (e.g., 時間が残る - time remains; チケットがまだ残っている - there are still tickets left)
残っている (nokotteiru) — is remaining, has been left (e.g., 料理が残っている - food is left)
のこ.す (noko.su) — This is a transitive verb meaning "to leave behind," "to save," or "to leave something undone." It describes an action where someone causes something to remain, either intentionally or unintentionally.
残す (nokosu) — to leave behind, to save (e.g., メッセージを残す - to leave a message; 歴史に名を残す - to leave one's name in history)
食べ残す (tabenokosu) — to leave food uneaten (e.g., ご飯を食べ残す - to leave rice uneaten)
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 残 is a frequent component in many Japanese words and compounds, used in words related to 'remaining' or 'left over' across various contexts. Here are some common examples, categorized for easier understanding:
General & Abstract Concepts
- 残高 (zandaka) — balance (of an account), remaining amount. This is a common term in banking and finance.
- 残骸 (zangai) — wreckage, debris, remains of something destroyed.
- 残像 (zanzou) — afterimage, a residual image that lingers in one's vision, like after staring at a bright light.
Time & Season Related
- 残業 (zangyou) — overtime work. A very frequently used term in professional settings.
- 残暑 (zansho) — lingering summer heat, the remaining heat of summer that persists into early autumn, often described as 'late summer heat.'
- 残月 (zangetsu) — the moon still visible in the sky at dawn.
Food & Consumption
- 残飯 (zanpan) — leftover food, table scraps.
- 残り物 (nokorimono) — a general term for leftovers (food, items, etc.), using the kun'yomi reading.
- 食べ残し (tabenokoshi) — uneaten food, food left over from a meal.
Feelings & States
- 残念 (zannen) — regrettable, disappointing, too bad. Expresses regret or disappointment.
- 無残 (muzan) — cruel, ruthless, tragic, merciless. Literally 'no remains,' often implying a lack of humanity or mercy, leading to cruelty.
- 残忍 (zannin) — brutal, cruel, ruthless.
Example Sentences
まだ少し仕事が残っているから、もう少々かかります。
Mada sukoshi shigoto ga nokotteiru kara, mou shoushou kakarimasu.
Since there's still a little work left, it will take a bit longer.
昨日の夕食の残り物を食べました。
Kinou no yuushoku no nokorimono o tabemashita.
I ate the leftovers from last night's dinner.
残念ながら、彼はパーティーに来られません。
Zannen nagara, kare wa paatii ni koraremasen.
Unfortunately, he cannot come to the party.
時間を無駄にせず、残りの問題を解きましょう。
Jikan o muda ni sezu, nokori no mondai o tokimashou.
Let's solve the remaining problems without wasting time.
この会議は残業せずに終わらせたいです。
Kono kaigi wa zangyou sezu ni owarasetai desu.
I want to finish this meeting without doing overtime.
お金が少ししか残っていません。
Okane ga sukoshi shika nokotteimasen.
Only a little money is left.
彼は食卓に一言メモを残して出かけました。
Kare wa shokutaku ni hitokoto memo o nokoshite dekakemashita.
He left a short note on the table and went out.
真夏のような残暑が続いていますね。
Manatsu no you na zansho ga tsuzuiteimasu ne.
The lingering summer heat, like midsummer, continues, doesn't it?
口座の残高を確認しました。
Kouza no zandaka o kakunin shimashita.
I checked the account balance.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 残, consider its components: 歹 (bone/death) and 戋 (small/insignificant). Imagine this scene: After a devastating event like a battle or natural disaster, all that is left is a pile of bones (歹) and a small, insignificant amount (戋) of other debris. This imagery clearly conveys the meaning of 'what remains' or 'leftovers.' You can even picture a spear (part of 戋) being used to pick through the bones, leaving only fragments.
So, when you see 残, think: 'Only bones and a small amount of wreckage remain.' This strong visual story will help you remember its meaning.