多余 duōyú superfluous
superfluous; unnecessary; surplus
How to remember 多余: 多 many + 余 surplus = superfluous.
Characters
How it is used
- Superfluous / uncalled-for - more than needed, so unwanted: 多余的话 (duōyú de huà) needless words, 你的担心是多余的 (nǐ de dānxīn shì duōyú de) your worry is unnecessary.
- Distinguish from 剩余 (shèngyú), neutral 'leftover/surplus'; 多余 carries the judgment that the extra is pointless or in the way.
- Also describes feeling unwanted: 觉得自己是多余的 (feel like a fifth wheel).
Example sentences
- 还有多余的盐吗？ Háiyǒu duōyú de yán ma?Is it too salty?
- 你有多余的钥匙吗？ Nǐ yǒu duōyú de yàoshi ma?Do you have an extra key?