1.
leftovers; leftover food
Food that remains uneaten after a meal. The most common usage.
2.
remainder; things left over
Items remaining after the main selection has been taken. Can imply lesser quality or being unwanted.
残り物 most commonly refers to leftover food from a meal but can also mean anything remaining after the main selection has been taken.
Common collocations
- 残り物を温める: to heat up leftovers
- 残り物を片付ける: to clean up/put away leftovers
- 残り物で済ませる: to make do with leftovers
Proverb
残り物には福がある — "There is fortune in leftovers." Encourages patience, suggesting that good things come to those who don't rush to grab the first choice.
Usage
When referring to non-food items, 残り物 can imply something unwanted or of lesser quality — the items nobody else picked.
Related words
- 残り: remainder, what's left
- 食べ残し: uneaten food, food waste
- 余り物: surplus, extra items