1.
to have more than one can handle; to not know what to do with
to find something too much to deal with or manage, often leading to neglect
時間を持て余している。
I have time on my hands.
体力を持て余す元気な子だ。
The energetic child has more energy than they know what to do with.
広すぎる家を持て余している。
They don't know what to do with such a large house.
持て余す describes having something that is too much to handle or use effectively.
VERB TYPE:
- Godan verb (す-verb)
- Transitive
ETYMOLOGY:
- 持てる (potential of 持つ: to hold) + 余す (to have left over)
- Literally: to have excess of what one can hold
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 時間を持て余す (to have time on one's hands)
- 体力を持て余す (to have excess energy)
- 才能を持て余す (to waste one's talent)
- 暇を持て余す (to not know what to do with free time)
USAGE PATTERNS:
- Often used with abstract nouns (time, energy, talent)
- Can describe both positive (too much talent) and negative (can't handle) situations
- 持て余している is very common (ongoing state)
NUANCE:
- 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 EXPRESSIONS:
- 暇をつぶす (to kill time)
- 使い切れない (can't use up)
- 手に余る (to be beyond one's ability)
REGISTER: Neutral. Common in everyday conversation.