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B1 noun #3,000 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

余裕

yoyuu
At the A1 level, you can think of 'yoyuu' as simply 'extra' or 'enough.' You use it to say you have enough time or enough money for something simple. For example, 'Jikan ga arimasu' (I have time) is A1, but adding 'yoyuu' makes it 'I have plenty of time.' It's a way to express that you aren't in a rush. You might hear it when someone asks if you want to go to a cafe, and you say 'Yoyuu ga arimasu' to mean 'Yes, I have time to spare.' It is usually used in the 'Noun + ga aru/nai' pattern. At this stage, focus on the most basic meaning: 'room' or 'extra.'
At the A2 level, you start using 'yoyuu' to describe your ability to do things. You might use the phrase 'yoyuu de' to say something is easy. For example, 'Kono shukudai wa yoyuu desu' (This homework is easy/no problem). You also begin to use it for physical space, like saying a car has 'yoyuu' for three people. You understand that 'yoyuu' is more than just 'having time'; it's about having a 'cushion.' You can use it to decline things politely: 'Sumimasen, ima wa okane ni yoyuu ga arimasen' (Sorry, I don't have extra money right now).
At the B1 level, you use 'yoyuu' to describe emotional states and more complex situations. You understand 'kokoro no yoyuu' (mental leeway). You can describe a person as having 'yoyuu' (composure). In business, you use it to discuss project timelines and buffers. You can distinguish between 'hima' (free time) and 'yoyuu' (leeway). You also start using it in the context of driving or safety, like 'yoyuu wo motte unten suru' (drive with a margin of safety). You are comfortable using it as a noun, an adverb (yoyuu de), and as part of compound phrases.
At the B2 level, you use 'yoyuu' to discuss strategic advantages and abstract concepts. You might talk about a company having 'keiei no yoyuu' (management leeway/surplus) or a country having 'shigen no yoyuu' (resource surplus). You understand the nuance of 'yoyuu' in literature and media, where it often signifies a character's power or maturity. You can use it to criticize a plan for being too tight ('yoyuu ga nai keikaku'). You also understand the social expectation of maintaining 'yoyuu' even under pressure, and how that relates to the concept of 'coolness' in Japanese culture.
At the C1 level, you use 'yoyuu' to analyze complex social and psychological phenomena. You might discuss the 'yutori/yoyuu' generation or the lack of 'yoyuu' in modern urban life as a cause for social stress. You can use the word in formal writing to describe 'tolerances' in engineering or 'margins' in economic theory. You understand subtle idioms and can use 'yoyuu' to express sarcasm or deep irony. You are aware of how 'yoyuu' interacts with other concepts like 'ma' (space/timing) and 'omotenashi' (hospitality), where providing 'yoyuu' for the guest is a key element.
At the C2 level, 'yoyuu' becomes a tool for philosophical and aesthetic discourse. You can discuss the 'aesthetics of yoyuu' in Japanese gardens or traditional architecture, where empty space is not 'wasted' but is 'yoyuu' that gives life to the structure. You can use it to describe the mastery of a craft where the artisan performs with such 'yoyuu' that the boundary between effort and ease disappears. You can engage in high-level debates about societal 'yoyuu' and its necessity for creativity and human rights. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, capturing every subtle shade of meaning.
Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

余裕 in 30 Sekunden

  • Yoyuu means having a 'buffer' or 'leeway' in time, money, space, or mind.
  • It is a positive trait, often associated with competence and maturity.
  • Grammatically, it is a noun often used with 'ni' and 'ga aru/nai'.
  • The adverbial form 'yoyuu de' means doing something easily or with no trouble.

The Japanese word 余裕 (yoyuu) is a multi-faceted noun that encapsulates the concept of having 'surplus,' 'leeway,' or 'room' in various dimensions of life. At its core, it refers to a state where one is not pushed to their absolute limit, whether that limit is physical space, time, financial resources, or emotional capacity. Understanding 余裕 is essential for grasping the Japanese mindset regarding balance and preparation. Unlike the English word 'spare,' which often implies something extra that is unused, 余裕 suggests a necessary buffer that provides comfort, safety, and composure.

Temporal Leeway (Time)
When you have 余裕 in your schedule, you aren't rushing. You have enough time to handle unexpected delays. For example, arriving 10 minutes early to a meeting is having 'time 余裕.'
Financial Surplus (Money)
This refers to having extra funds after all expenses are paid. It is the 'cushion' in your bank account that allows for luxury or emergencies.
Spatial Room (Space)
Physical space in a room, a car, or a container. If a suitcase is only half full, it has 余裕.
Emotional Composure (Mind)
Perhaps the most important usage in social contexts. 'Kokoro no yoyuu' (room in the heart) refers to being calm, patient, and not easily rattled by stress.

「時間に余裕を持って家を出ました。」(I left the house with plenty of time to spare.)

— Common daily usage example

In a cultural sense, 余裕 is often associated with maturity and competence. A person who performs a difficult task with 余裕 is seen as highly skilled because they make the effort look easy. Conversely, someone who is 'yoyuu ga nai' (lacks leeway) is often seen as frantic, stressed, or struggling to keep up with basic demands. This word is frequently used in sports, business negotiations, and personal relationships to describe the 'upper hand' or a position of strength.

「今の給料では生活に余裕がありません。」(With my current salary, there is no room for extra expenses in my life.)

「この車は5人乗っても余裕がある。」(This car has plenty of room even with five people in it.)

「彼は試験に余裕で合格した。」(He passed the exam with ease/room to spare.)

「精神的な余裕が必要です。」(Mental composure/leeway is necessary.)

The Kanji: 余 (Surplus)
This kanji means 'excess' or 'remainder.' It appears in words like 'amari' (leftover).
The Kanji: 裕 (Abundant)
This kanji represents richness or abundance. It is also found in 'yuufuku' (wealthy).

Using 余裕 (yoyuu) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It is primarily a noun, but it functions in several distinct patterns that change its meaning slightly depending on the context. The most common construction is [Noun] + に + 余裕 + がある/ない, which means 'to have/not have leeway in [Noun].'

1. Temporal and Financial Usage

When talking about time or money, 余裕 is almost always paired with the particle に. For example, 'jikan ni yoyuu ga aru' means you have extra time. In business, 'yosan ni yoyuu ga aru' means there is room in the budget. If you are rushing to a train, you might say 'yoyuu ga nai!' (I have no time/leeway!).

2. As an Adverbial Phrase (余裕で)

When you add the particle で, it turns into an adverb meaning 'easily,' 'with room to spare,' or 'no problem.' This is very common in casual speech. If someone asks if you can finish a task by tomorrow, and it's easy for you, you can say 'Yoyuu de dekiru yo!' (I can do it easily!). In gaming or sports, winning 'yoyuu de' means a landslide victory.

3. Emotional and Mental States

The phrase 'kokoro no yoyuu' (emotional leeway) is a vital concept in Japanese psychology. It describes the mental bandwidth required to be kind to others or to handle stress. If someone is being irritable, a friend might say 'Kare wa ima, kokoro no yoyuu ga nai n da yo' (He doesn't have the mental capacity/composure right now).

4. Physical Space

When describing a physical fit, 余裕 refers to the gap or 'play' between objects. If a pair of shoes is a bit loose, you might say 'yoyuu ga aru.' In engineering, this 'yoyuu' is often translated as 'tolerance' or 'clearance.'

You will encounter 余裕 (yoyuu) in almost every facet of Japanese life, from the most formal business meetings to the most casual playground banter. Its versatility makes it a high-frequency word that signals your level of Japanese fluency.

In the Workplace

Managers often ask, 'Kono sukejuuru, yoyuu aru?' (Is there any leeway in this schedule?). This isn't just asking if the work can be done, but if there's a buffer for mistakes or delays. In project management, 'yoyuu' is the 'float' or 'slack' in a timeline. A project with 'yoyuu no nai keikaku' (a plan with no leeway) is considered risky and poorly designed.

In Daily Life and Transportation

Train announcements often advise passengers to 'yoyuu wo motte go-riyou kudasai' (please use the service with time to spare). This is a polite way of saying 'don't run for the closing doors.' At a restaurant, if you are offered more food and you are full, you might say 'Mou yoyuu ga arimasen' (I have no more room/capacity in my stomach).

In Sports and Competition

Commentators will say a runner is 'yoyuu no hashiri' (running with composure) if they are in the lead and don't look tired. It suggests they could go even faster if they wanted to. In fighting games or competitive e-sports, saying 'yoyuu!' after a match is a slightly cocky way of saying 'That was easy!' or 'I wasn't even trying.'

In Personal Relationships

When dating or making friends, having 'yoyuu' is seen as an attractive trait. It implies a lack of desperation. A 'yoyuu no aru otona' (a composed adult) is someone who can handle crises without panicking and who treats others with patience because they aren't overwhelmed by their own problems.

While 余裕 (yoyuu) is versatile, learners often misapply it where other words like 'hima,' 'aiteiru,' or 'basho' would be more appropriate. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.

1. Confusing 'Yoyuu' with 'Hima' (Free Time)

Learners often say 'Yoyuu ga aru' when they mean they are bored or have no plans. Hima (暇) refers to the absence of tasks. Yoyuu refers to the presence of a buffer. If you have a day off, you are 'hima.' If you have a deadline at 5 PM but finish at 3 PM, you have 'yoyuu.'

2. Confusing 'Yoyuu' with 'Basho' (Space/Place)

If you want to say 'There is no space to sit,' you should use basho (場所) or kuukan (空間). Use 'yoyuu' only when you are talking about the *capacity* or the *extra* space. For example, 'Kono heya wa mada hito ga hairu yoyuu ga aru' (This room still has room for more people to enter).

3. Overusing 'Yoyuu de' in Formal Situations

Saying 'Yoyuu de dekimasu' (I can do it easily) to a superior can sound arrogant. It implies the task is so trivial it's beneath you. In a professional setting, it is better to say 'Mondai naku taiou kanou desu' (I can handle it without problems) or 'Jikan ni juubun na haba ga arimasu' (There is sufficient width/time in the schedule).

4. Neglecting the Particle 'ni'

Remember that when specifying *what* you have leeway in, you use に. 'Okane ni yoyuu ga aru' (Have leeway in money). Using 'no' or 'ga' directly after the resource can sometimes lead to grammatical awkwardness.

To truly master 余裕 (yoyuu), you must distinguish it from its synonyms. Each of these words carries a specific nuance that 'yoyuu' might cover generally but not specifically.

ゆとり (Yutori)
Very close to 'yoyuu' but often used in a more social or educational context. 'Yutori kyouiku' (relaxed education) is a famous term. Yutori feels softer and more focused on the psychological feeling of being relaxed and unhurried.
隙 (Suki)
Means a 'gap' or 'opening,' but often in a negative sense, like a 'chink in one's armor.' While 'yoyuu' is a positive buffer, 'suki' is an unintended hole or a moment of carelessness.
間 (Ma)
Refers to timing, pause, or the space between things. In music or conversation, 'ma' is the silence that gives meaning to the sound. 'Yoyuu' is the capacity to create that 'ma.'
遊び (Asobi)
Literally 'play,' but in mechanical terms, it means the 'slack' or 'leeway' in a steering wheel or a brake pedal. This is a technical synonym for the spatial/mechanical 'yoyuu.'

When choosing between these, ask yourself: Am I talking about a buffer (Yoyuu), a feeling of relaxation (Yutori), or a mechanical gap (Asobi)?

How Formal Is It?

Formell

""

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

時間に余裕があります。

I have time to spare.

Noun + に + 余裕 + がある

2

お金に余裕がありません。

I don't have extra money.

Negative form: 余裕がない

3

このカバンは余裕があります。

This bag has plenty of room.

Spatial usage

4

余裕で間に合います。

I will make it easily.

Adverbial usage with で

5

心に余裕を持ってください。

Please have some peace of mind.

Imperative-like suggestion

6

まだ余裕がありますか？

Is there still room/time?

Question form

7

5分あれば余裕です。

If I have 5 minutes, it's easy.

Copula usage (余裕です)

8

余裕がない人は怖いです。

People who have no composure are scary.

Modifying a noun

1

100円の余裕もありません。

I don't even have 100 yen to spare.

Emphasizing small amount

2

余裕で勝てました。

We won easily.

Past tense adverbial

3

この服は少し余裕があります。

These clothes are a bit loose.

Describing fit

4

生活に余裕が出てきました。

I've started to have some leeway in my life.

Verb 余裕が出る (to emerge)

5

余裕を持って計画を立てましょう。

Let's make a plan with some leeway.

Compound phrase

6

彼はいつも余裕たっぷりです。

He is always full of composure.

Suffix たっぷり (full of)

7

そんな余裕はありません！

I don't have that kind of luxury/time!

Pronoun usage

8

車を止める余裕がありますか？

Is there room to park the car?

Spatial/Action leeway

1

精神的な余裕が必要です。

Mental composure is necessary.

Adjectival modification

2

余裕のある態度で接する。

To interact with a composed attitude.

Modifying 'attitude'

3

今の仕事は余裕でこなせます。

I can handle my current job with ease.

Verb こなす (to handle/manage)

4

予算に余裕を持たせる。

To allow for a buffer in the budget.

Causative form (allow/make)

5

相手に余裕を与えてはいけない。

You must not give your opponent any breathing room.

Giving/Receiving leeway

6

彼は余裕をかましている。

He is acting cool/composed (often used critically).

Idiomatic expression 'yoyuu wo kamasu'

7

余裕がないときこそ、冷静になれ。

Especially when you have no leeway, stay calm.

Conditional usage

8

このエンジンはまだ余裕がある。

This engine still has more power/capacity.

Mechanical capacity

1

経営状態に余裕がない。

There is no leeway in the state of management.

Business context

2

余裕の笑みを浮かべる。

To wear a composed smile.

Literary expression

3

時間的余裕が全くない状況だ。

It is a situation with absolutely no temporal leeway.

Formal compound

4

他人のことを考える余裕ができた。

I've gained the mental capacity to think of others.

Personal growth

5

余裕を失うとミスが増える。

When you lose your composure, mistakes increase.

Cause and effect

6

10点のリードは余裕ではない。

A 10-point lead is not a safe margin.

Negating the concept of safety

7

余裕を持って運転するのが基本だ。

Driving with a margin of safety is the basic rule.

Safety/Protocol

8

資金的な余裕が成功の鍵だ。

Financial leeway is the key to success.

Abstract noun phrase

1

都市計画における空間的余裕の重要性。

The importance of spatial leeway in urban planning.

Academic/Formal

2

彼の発言には余裕が感じられる。

One can sense a certain composure in his remarks.

Perception verb

3

余裕綽々といった様子で現れた。

He appeared looking perfectly calm and composed.

Four-character idiom-like phrase

4

現代社会は心の余裕を奪っている。

Modern society is robbing us of our mental leeway.

Social critique

5

余裕を見せて相手を油断させる。

To show composure and make the opponent let their guard down.

Strategic usage

6

その設計にはかなりの余裕が見込まれている。

The design includes a significant margin of safety/tolerance.

Passive voice/Engineering

7

金銭的な余裕が精神の安定に直結する。

Financial leeway is directly linked to mental stability.

Direct link expression

8

余裕がないふりをして、実は準備万端だ。

Pretending to have no leeway, but actually being fully prepared.

Deceptive usage

1

余白の美、すなわち余裕の美学である。

The beauty of empty space; that is, the aesthetics of leeway.

Philosophical definition

2

強者の余裕が、逆に周囲の反感を買うこともある。

The composure of the powerful can sometimes invite resentment from those around them.

Complex social dynamic

3

制度的な余裕が、不測の事態における弾力性を生む。

Institutional leeway creates resilience in the face of unforeseen circumstances.

Political/Economic theory

4

余裕を排した極限の状態での美を追求する。

To pursue beauty in an extreme state where all leeway has been eliminated.

Artistic theory

5

言語的余裕が、詩的な表現の豊かさを支えている。

Linguistic leeway supports the richness of poetic expression.

Linguistic analysis

6

余裕という名の慢心が、破滅を招く。

Complacency in the name of 'composure' leads to ruin.

Moral warning

7

歴史を俯瞰する余裕を持つべきだ。

One should have the composure to take a bird's-eye view of history.

Intellectual imperative

8

余裕の有無が、リーダーの資質を決定づける。

The presence or absence of composure determines the quality of a leader.

Definitive statement

Häufige Kollokationen

時間に余裕がある
お金に余裕がある
心に余裕がない
余裕を持って
余裕を見せる
余裕をなくす
余裕で間に合う
精神的な余裕
経済的な余裕
余裕綽々

Häufige Phrasen

余裕です (It's easy/No problem)

余裕がない (I'm broke/busy/stressed)

余裕を持って行動する (Act with time to spare)

余裕の笑み (A composed smile)

余裕をかます (To act cool/smug)

全然余裕！ (Totally easy!)

余裕が出てきた (Starting to get the hang of it/getting leeway)

余裕のよっちゃん (Old slang for 'easy peasy')

心の余裕 (Mental bandwidth)

余裕のある生活 (A comfortable life)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

余裕 vs 暇 (Hima)

Hima is 'nothing to do'; Yoyuu is 'extra capacity while doing something'.

余裕 vs 場所 (Basho)

Basho is a 'place'; Yoyuu is 'room/capacity'.

余裕 vs 簡単 (Kantan)

Kantan is 'simple'; Yoyuu is 'easily handled because of skill/buffer'.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"余裕綽々 (Yoyuu-shakushaku)"

With calm and composure; perfectly serene.

"喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れる (Indirectly related)"

Once the danger is past, one forgets the pain (losing the 'yoyuu' of caution).

"火の車 (Hi no kuruma)"

Being in desperate financial straits (the opposite of financial yoyuu).

Leicht verwechselbar

余裕 vs

余裕 vs

余裕 vs

余裕 vs

余裕 vs

Satzmuster

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

So verwendest du es

nuance

Yoyuu is objective (amount) and subjective (feeling).

antonym note

The opposite of yoyuu is often 'girigiri' (on the edge).

Häufige Fehler

Tipps

The Value of Early Arrival

In Japan, arriving exactly on time is often seen as having 'no yoyuu.' Arriving 5-10 minutes early shows you have 'yoyuu' and respect the other person's time.

Casual 'Yoyuu!'

If a friend asks if you can help them move, and you're strong/free, just say 'Yoyuu!' It sounds very natural and helpful.

Business Emails

When asking for a deadline, use 'yoyuu no aru nittei' (a schedule with some leeway) to sound professional and considerate.

The Cup Analogy

Imagine a cup. If it's full to the brim, there's no yoyuu. If it's 80% full, the 20% empty space is the 'yoyuu' that prevents spilling.

Dating Tip

Japanese dating advice often mentions 'yoyuu.' A person who doesn't text back immediately or doesn't seem desperate is said to have 'yoyuu,' which is considered attractive.

Particle 'Ni'

Always remember 'Okane NI yoyuu,' 'Jikan NI yoyuu.' The 'ni' points to the container that has the extra space.

Anime Villains

Watch for the moment a villain's face changes from a 'yoyuu no emi' to a panicked look. That is the 'yoyuu ga nakunatta' moment.

Self-Correction

If you say 'hima ga nai' but you mean you are stressed, correct yourself to 'yoyuu ga nai.' It sounds more mature.

Kanji Breakdown

Focus on 'Yu' (裕). It means rich/abundant. If you are rich in something, you have 'yoyuu'.

Mental Health

Japanese people often say 'kokoro no yoyuu ga daiji' (mental leeway is important). It's a common way to talk about avoiding burnout.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Kultureller Kontext

Managers value 'yoyuu' in schedules to prevent burnout.

Being 'yoyuu' in an argument is seen as winning without fighting.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"最近、心に余裕がありますか？"

"明日のテスト、余裕で合格できそう？"

"このスケジュール、少し余裕を持たせませんか？"

"お金に余裕ができたら、何をしたいですか？"

"どうすれば余裕のある大人になれますか？"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日、一番余裕がなかった瞬間はいつですか？

余裕を持つために、毎朝していることはありますか？

あなたが『余裕があるな』と感じる人はどんな人ですか？

100万円の余裕ができたら、どう使いますか？

余裕のない生活を改善するためのアイデアを書いてください。

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Yes, when used as 'yoyuu de,' it means you can do something with room to spare, which implies it is easy for you. It is very common in casual conversation.

Mostly, yes. However, 'yoyuu wo kamasu' can mean someone is being smug or overconfident, which can be negative.

They are very similar. 'Yoyuu' is more general (time, space, money). 'Yutori' is often used for a relaxed lifestyle or a feeling of being unhurried.

You can say 'Okane ni yoyuu ga arimasen.' It's a slightly more polite or indirect way than saying 'Okane ga nai.'

Yes. 'Kono heya wa mada yoyuu ga aru' means there is still room for more people or furniture.

Constantly. A player who is 'yoyuu' is one who isn't struggling even though the game is intense.

It feels like being 'at your limit' or 'pressed.' It can apply to time, money, or your patience.

Yes. 'Mada taberu yoyuu ga aru' means 'I still have room in my stomach for more food.'

It is a standard word used in both formal and casual settings, but the phrasing changes (e.g., 'go-yoyuu' is rarely used, but 'yoyuu wo motte' is formal).

It is a four-character idiom meaning 'perfectly calm and composed,' often used to describe someone who isn't worried at all.

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