1.
to have no room; to have no leeway; to be pressed for time, money, or capacity
Expresses a lack of spare time, money, mental capacity, or physical space. Often used to explain why one cannot take on additional tasks or obligations.
今は余裕がない。
I don't have any room right now.
仕事が忙しくて、趣味をする余裕がない。
I'm so busy with work that I have no time for hobbies.
今月は出費が多くて、旅行に行く余裕がない。
I've had so many expenses this month that I can't afford to travel.
USAGE:
余裕 means "margin," "leeway," or "room to spare." The expression 余裕がない indicates a complete lack of spare capacity in any dimension — time, money, energy, or emotional bandwidth. It is a very common and natural way to decline invitations or explain one's constraints.
The positive form 余裕がある means to have plenty of room or time to spare.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 時間の余裕がない (to have no spare time)
- 金銭的な余裕がない (to have no financial leeway)
- 心の余裕がない (to have no emotional room)
- 気持ちの余裕がない (to be mentally overwhelmed)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 暇がない: to have no free time — more specific to time
- 手一杯: to have one's hands full — emphasizes being at capacity with tasks