Japanese word

残る

Pronunciation

Romajinokoru

Meaning

  • verbstay, be left

Example

私はここに残ります。watashi wa ko ko ni noko ri ma su

I will stay here.

Illustration for 残る (stay)

More examples

ケーキが少し残っています。kē ki ga suko shi noko tte i ma su

Some cake is left.

みんなが帰ったあとも、私は残ります。mi n na ga kae tta a to mo watashi wa noko ri ma su

I will stay even after everyone else goes home.

Core concept

Centers on continuing to be in a place or state instead of leaving or disappearing.

Common phrases

  • ここに残るko ko ni noko ru

    stay here

  • 最後まで残るsai go ma de noko ru

    stay until the end

  • 遅くまで残るoso ku ma de noko ru

    stay late

Similar words

居残るinokoru: To stay behind after others leave or an event ends.
留まるtomaru: To continue in a place or situation without moving away.
滞在するtaizaisuru: To stay in a place for a limited period.

Definition in Japanese

その場所を離れず、引き続きそこにいる。so no ba sho o hana re zu hi ki tsuzu ki so ko ni i ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 残る (nokoru, "remain") is related to 残す (nokosu, "leave behind") as an intransitive-transitive pair, describing what continues to be present.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 残る (nokoru) often describes a person who stays behind after others leave, such as a student remaining at school.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word