Japanese word

余裕

Pronunciation

Romajiyoyū

Meaning

  • nountime to spare

Example

今日は余裕があります。kyō wa yo yū ga a ri ma su

I have time to spare today.

Illustration for 余裕 (time to spare)

More examples

締め切りの前に、見直す余裕を残しておきます。shi me ki ri no mae ni mi nao su yo yū o noko shi te o ki ma su

I leave enough time to review my work before the deadline.

Core concept

Means having something left after immediate demands are met, giving a person or situation room to respond.

Common phrases

  • 余裕があるyo yū ga a ru

    have time to spare

  • 余裕がないyo yū ga na i

    have no time to spare

  • 余裕を持つyo yū o mo tsu

    allow enough time

Similar words

ゆとりyutori: Enough time or mental space to act without feeling rushed.
暇hima: A period with no pressing work or appointments.
空きaki: An available period in a schedule that has not been filled.

Definition in Japanese

必要なものを使ったあとにも残る時間や空間、または落ち着いて対応できるゆとり。hitsu yō na mo no o tsuka tta a to ni mo noko ru ji kan ya kū kan ma ta wa o chi tsu i te tai ō de ki ru yu to ri

Word origin

余 (yo, "remainder") and 裕 (yū, "abundance") form 余裕 (yoyū), a word for an amount or capacity that remains available.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 余裕 (yoyū) can describe emotional calm as well as spare time, so 余裕がない (yoyū ga nai) may refer to a busy mind rather than a busy schedule.

Other meanings

  • roomnoun
  • leewaynoun
  • composurenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word