Japanese word

余計

Pronunciation

Romajiyokei

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveextra

Example

余計なお金は使いません。yo kei na o kane wa tsuka i ma se n

I do not spend extra money.

Illustration for 余計 (extra)

More examples

旅行では余計な荷物を持たないようにします。ryo kō de wa yo kei na ni motsu o mo ta na i yō ni shi ma su

I try not to carry unnecessary luggage when traveling.

Core concept

Describes something that goes beyond what a situation requires, making it unnecessary or excessive.

Common phrases

  • 余計な手間yo kei na te ma

    extra trouble

  • 余計なお金yo kei na o kane

    extra money

  • 余計なものyo kei na mo no

    unnecessary things

Similar words

不要fuyō: Describes something unnecessary for a purpose, task, or situation.
余分yobun: Describes something present in a greater amount than required.
無駄muda: Describes something that uses resources without producing a useful result.

Definition in Japanese

必要な量や程度を超えていて、なくてもよいさま。hitsu yō na ryō ya tei do o ko e te i te na ku te mo yo i sa ma

Word origin

余計 (yokei) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 余 (yo, "surplus") and 計 (kei, "measure"), giving the sense of something beyond the needed amount.

Usage tips

  • In everyday speech, 余計なことを言う (yokei na koto o iu) means saying more than necessary and often suggests that the remark is unwelcome.

Other meanings

  • unnecessaryna-adjective
  • excessivena-adjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word