富余 (fù yu) — to have a surplus, to be in surplus; surplus (noun)

Definition

富余 means 'to have a surplus' (verb) or 'surplus' (noun), typically of money, time, or resources after needs are met. Closer to 'have extra' than 多; 剩余 is the more formal/written equivalent used in official or financial contexts.

to have a surplusto be in surplussurplus (noun)

Examples

  • 富余。
    Zhè ge yuè wǒ men fù yu le yì xiē zī jīn.
    This month we have a surplus of some funds.
  • 富余。
    Gōng sī de fù yu kě yǐ yòng lái tóu zī.
    The company's surplus can be used for investment.
  • 富余，。
    Liáng shi fù yu de shí hou, kě yǐ chǔ cún qǐ lái.
    When grain is in surplus, it can be stored.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

富fùabundant
余yúsurplus

富 (abundant) and 余 (surplus) together mean having more than enough.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
畐
畐fú富fù
Same sound today

富 pairs 宀, a roof-shaped part, with 畐, which gives the sound fú.

Open 富 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 餘; 余 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
食食shí
Sound part声符shēngfú
余
余yú餘Yú
Same sound today

The traditional form 餘 pairs 食 (food) with 余 as its sound part; the simplified 余 is a later abbreviation.

Open 余 →

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