1.
margin, blank space
The empty space around text or images on a page; unused area left intentionally in documents, art, or design.
余白にメモを書き込んだ。
I wrote notes in the margin.
ページの余白を調整してください。
Please adjust the page margins.
日本画では余白が大切にされる。
In Japanese painting, blank space is valued.
2.
room, leeway (figurative)
Space or capacity for something additional; breathing room in one's life or schedule.
人生に余白を持つことが大事だ。
It's important to have some breathing room in life.
余白 means blank/white space, either literally or figuratively.
ETYMOLOGY:
余 (extra, surplus) + 白 (white) - extra white space.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 余白を取る - to leave margins
- 余白を設定する - to set margins
- 余白に書く - to write in the margin
- 余白を活かす - to make use of white space
CULTURAL NOTE:
余白（ま/マ）is an important concept in Japanese aesthetics. In traditional arts like calligraphy, painting, and garden design, intentional empty space is valued as much as the filled areas. This contrasts with Western tendencies to fill all available space.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 余白 vs. マージン: Same meaning; マージン is the loanword often used in digital/business contexts
- 余白 vs. 空白: 余白 is intentional margin; 空白 emphasizes emptiness (can be unintended gap)