持(も)て余(あま)す

持(も)て余(あま)す describes having something that is too much to handle or use effectively.

Verb type

• Godan verb (す-verb)
• Transitive

Etymology

• 持(も)てる (potential of 持(も)つ: to hold) + 余(あま)す (to have left over)
• Literally: to have excess of what one can hold

Common collocations

• 時間(じかん)を持(も)て余(あま)す (to have time on one's hands)
• 体力(たいりょく)を持(も)て余(あま)す (to have excess energy)
• 才能(さいのう)を持(も)て余(あま)す (to waste one's talent)
• 暇(ひま)を持(も)て余(あま)す (to not know what to do with free time)

Common patterns

• Often used with abstract nouns (time, energy, talent)
• Can describe both positive (too much talent) and negative (can't handle) situations
• 持(も)て余(あま)している is very common (ongoing state)

Usage

• Implies slight frustration or inability to utilize fully
• Different from simply "having extra" - implies a burden or waste
• Often used for things that should be useful but are not being used well

Related words

• 暇(ひま)をつぶす (to kill time)
• 使(つか)い切(き)れない (can't use up)
• 手(て)に余(あま)る (to be beyond one's ability)

Register: Neutral. Common in everyday conversation.