Chinese word

多余

Pronunciation

Pinyinduō yú

Meaning

  • adjectiveunnecessary

Example

这件事现在说出来显得多余。zhè jiàn shì xiàn zài shuō chū lái xiǎn de duō yú

Bringing this up now seems unnecessary.

Illustration for 多余 (unnecessary)

More examples

这种重复让观点显得多余。zhè zhǒng chóng fù ràng guān diǎn xiǎn de duō yú

This repetition makes the point seem unnecessary.

Core concept

A part, detail, or action that goes beyond what is needed and can be left out.

Common phrases

  • 显得多余xiǎn de duō yú

    appear unnecessary

  • 多余的细节duō yú de xì jié

    extra details

Similar words

不必要bú bì yào: Describes something with no need for it or no value in doing it.
无用wú yòng: Describes something useless because it cannot help or produce a useful result.
冗余rǒng yú: Describes unnecessary duplication caused by overlapping parts or functions.

Definition in Chinese

超过需要、没有用处、可以省去的部分或事物。chāo guò xū yào méi yǒu yòng chǔ ké yǐ shěng qù de bù fèn huò shì wù

Word origin

多 (duō, "many") + 余 (yú, "remainder") combines the ideas of having more and having something left over, giving the sense of an unnecessary surplus.

Usage tips

  • When applied to a person's presence or contribution, this adjective can sound dismissive, so it is usually safer with a detail, object, or remark that can be removed.

Other meanings

  • extraadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word