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B1 verb #1,800 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

残る

nokoru Top 1,800

At the A1 level, 'nokoru' is introduced in its simplest physical form: things being left over. Learners use it to talk about food on a plate or people staying in a room. The focus is on the present state 'nokotte iru' (is remaining). For example, 'Gohan ga nokotte iru' (There is rice left). It's a vital word for basic survival and politeness at the table. At this stage, students should simply recognize that 'nokoru' means 'to be left' and is used with the particle 'ga'. They might also see it in very simple time expressions like 'ato go-fun' (5 minutes left), even if the verb 'nokoru' is implied rather than spoken. The goal is to understand that something is still there when it could have been gone.

At the A2 level, learners begin to use 'nokoru' in more varied contexts, such as staying late at work or school. They start to understand the difference between 'nokoru' (to remain) and 'tomaru' (to stay overnight). A2 students should be able to conjugate 'nokoru' into past and negative forms: 'nokotta' (remained) and 'nokoranai' (doesn't remain). They also encounter the concept of 'ato' + [amount] + 'nokoru' more frequently. For example, 'Okane ga ato sen-en nokotte iru' (I have 1000 yen left). This level also introduces the idea of physical traces, like 'yuki ga nokoru' (snow remains). The focus shifts from just food to general objects and simple human actions in a physical space.

At the B1 level, the usage of 'nokoru' expands into abstract concepts and psychological states. This is the level where students learn about 'kokoro ni nokoru' (to remain in one's heart/mind) for memorable experiences. They also start to distinguish 'nokoru' from its transitive pair 'nokosu' (to leave behind) more consistently. B1 learners should be comfortable using 'nokoru' in complex sentences and understanding its role in competitions (e.g., advancing to the next round). They also learn common collocations like 'ato ga nokoru' (to leave a mark/scar). The nuance of 'nokoru' as 'surviving' or 'persisting' becomes more prominent, moving beyond just 'leftover food.'

At the B2 level, 'nokoru' is used in more formal and literary contexts. Students understand its use in describing historical ruins, traditions, and documents that have survived through centuries. They can use the potential form 'nokoreru' and the causative 'nokoraseru' appropriately. B2 learners also encounter 'nokoru' in idiomatic expressions and as part of compound verbs like '勝ち残る' (to survive a competition) or '生き残る' (to survive a disaster). The distinction between 'nokoru' and 'amaru' (to be in surplus) is refined. They can discuss social issues, such as 'zangyou' (overtime) using 'kaisha ni nokoru' to describe the cultural pressure of staying late at the office.

At the C1 level, 'nokoru' is understood in its full range of subtle nuances, including its use in high-level literature and technical fields. C1 learners can use 'nokoru' to describe the 'lingering' of scents, sounds, or atmosphere with poetic precision. They understand the formal 'zanryuu' and can switch between 'nokoru' and its more formal counterparts depending on the register. They also grasp the philosophical implications of 'what remains' after a person's life or a civilization's end. The use of 'nokoru' in legal or academic texts (e.g., 'remnants of evidence') is mastered. At this level, the student can explain the nuance of 'nokoru' in Sumo wrestling or other specific cultural rituals.

At the C2 level, the mastery of 'nokoru' is indistinguishable from a native speaker. This includes the ability to use it in highly abstract philosophical discourse about existence and memory. The learner can appreciate and use 'nokoru' in classical Japanese contexts or archaic-sounding modern prose. They understand how 'nokoru' interacts with various auxiliary verbs to change the tone of a sentence entirely. They can use it to describe the most subtle 'traces' of an emotion or the 'remnant' of a long-lost dialect. For a C2 learner, 'nokoru' is not just a verb but a versatile tool for expressing the persistence of being across time, space, and thought.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

残る en 30 secondes

Nokoru is an intransitive verb meaning 'to remain' or 'to be left over,' used for physical items like food and abstract things like memories.
It is a Godan verb commonly used in the 'te-iru' form (nokotte-iru) to describe the current state of something being left behind.
Crucially, it differs from 'nokosu' (transitive: to leave something) and 'tomaru' (to stay overnight/lodge), focusing on the subject's persistence.
Commonly heard in daily life (leftovers), business (working late), and sports (surviving elimination), it is a versatile and essential Japanese verb.

The Japanese verb 残る (nokoru) is a fundamental intransitive verb that primarily translates to 'to remain,' 'to be left over,' or 'to stay behind.' At its core, it describes a state where something continues to exist or stay in a specific location after other parts have been removed, have left, or have passed away. This verb is essential for describing everything from physical leftovers after a meal to abstract concepts like lingering memories or historical footprints. Unlike its transitive counterpart 残す (nokosu), which means 'to leave something behind' (an intentional act), 残る focuses on the state of the subject itself.

Physical Presence: Used when people stay in a place after others leave, such as staying late at the office or remaining in a classroom after a lecture ends. It implies a continuation of presence.

クラスに一人だけ残る。(To remain alone in the classroom.)

In the context of quantity, 残る is the standard way to express that there is a remainder. If you have ten apples and eat eight, two apples 'remain' (残っている). This applies to money, time, and resources. For instance, 'only five minutes remain' is expressed as あと5分残っている. This usage is vital for daily survival Japanese, especially when shopping or managing schedules.

Abstract Impact: Refers to feelings, impressions, or scars that persist over time. A song might 'remain' in your head, or a bad memory might 'remain' in your heart. It suggests a lasting psychological effect.

心に深く残る言葉。(Words that remain deeply in one's heart.)

Furthermore, 残る is used in sports and competitions to describe advancing to the next round or surviving an elimination. In Sumo, a wrestler who stays inside the ring is said to have 'remained' (残った!). This specific cultural usage highlights the verb's connection to endurance and survival within a defined boundary.

Historical Context: Used for ancient ruins, traditions, or documents that have survived through the ages. It conveys a sense of historical continuity and the preservation of heritage against the passage of time.

古い建物が町に残る。(Old buildings remain in the town.)

Finally, the verb can describe physical traces or marks. If you spill ink, a stain 'remains.' If you walk in the snow, footprints 'remain.' This nuance of leaving a trace (ato ga nokoru) is a very common colocation in Japanese literature and daily conversation alike.

傷跡が残る。(A scar remains.)

Using 残る (nokoru) correctly requires an understanding of Japanese verb conjugation and particle usage. As a Godan (u-verb), it follows standard patterns. The most common form you will encounter is the continuous state form 残っている (nokotte iru), which describes the current status of something being left over. For example, to say 'There is some cake left,' you would say ケーキが残っている. The particle が (ga) is used to identify the subject that is remaining.

Grammar Structure: [Subject] + が + [Location] + に + 残る. This indicates that the subject remains in a specific location. For example: 'Tanaka-san remained in the office' (田中さんが事務所に残った).

仕事が山のように残っている。(Work is remaining like a mountain / I have a mountain of work left.)

When discussing time, 残る is often paired with あと (ato), meaning 'remaining' or 'left.' 'Ato sukoshi' (あと少し) means 'a little bit left.' This is a very natural way to express deadlines or remaining quantities of food and drink. In polite settings, you will use 残ります (nokorimasu) or 残りました (nokorimashita). If you are asking if there is any food left, you might ask 何か残っていますか？ (Is there anything left?).

Intransitive vs. Transitive: It is crucial not to confuse 'nokoru' with 'nokosu'. Use 'nokoru' when the focus is on the object itself (The food remains). Use 'nokosu' when the focus is on the person who left it (I left the food).

最後まで残るのが一番大変だ。(Remaining until the very end is the hardest part.)

In business contexts, 残る is frequently used to describe staying late for work (zangyou). While the noun is 残業 (zangyou), people often say 会社に残る (kaisha ni nokoru) to mean they are staying behind at the office. This is a softer way to express that you are working late without necessarily using the formal term for overtime.

Potential Form: The potential form 'nokoreru' (can remain) is less common but used in competitive scenarios: 'Can we stay in the top league?' (上位リーグに残れるか？).

記録に残るような大事件。(A major incident that will remain in the records.)

Lastly, consider the causative form 残らせる (nokoraseru), which means 'to make someone stay behind.' This is often used by teachers or bosses: 'The teacher made the students stay behind' (先生は生徒を居残らせた - here using the compound verb inokoru).

You will encounter 残る (nokoru) in a vast array of social and professional settings in Japan. One of the most common places is the dinner table. If there is food left on a serving platter, someone might ask, 「これ、残ってるけど誰か食べる？」 (This is left over, will anyone eat it?). It is a polite way to ensure food isn't wasted, reflecting the Japanese value of mottainai (regret over waste).

In the Office: When leaving the office, you might see colleagues still at their desks. You say 'Osaki ni shitsurei shimasu' (Excuse me for leaving first), and they are the ones who 'nokoru' (stay behind). It is a key part of the Japanese work culture vocabulary.

「まだ仕事が残っているので、お先にどうぞ。」("I still have work remaining, so please go ahead.")

In news broadcasts, 残る is used to describe the aftermath of natural disasters or historical events. Reporters might talk about 'the scars of the earthquake that remain in the city' (街に残る震災の爪痕). It carries a heavy, somber tone in these contexts, emphasizing the long-term impact of a tragedy. Similarly, in sports news, you'll hear about which teams 'remain' in the tournament (勝ち残る).

In Literature and Music: Lyrics often use 'nokoru' to describe lingering scents (kaori ga nokoru) or the warmth of a person who has left (nukumori ga nokoru). It evokes a sense of nostalgia (natsukashisa) and longing.

冬の寒さがまだ残っている。(The cold of winter still remains.)

In academic or historical contexts, you will hear about 'remains' (ikou) or 'surviving documents' (nokotte iru shiryou). This usage highlights the survival of information or physical structures through time. If you visit Kyoto, you will often hear that 'the atmosphere of the Edo period remains' (江戸時代の雰囲気が残っている).

The most frequent mistake learners make with 残る (nokoru) is confusing it with its transitive partner 残す (nokosu). This is a classic intransitive/transitive pair error. Remember: 残る is about the object (The food remains), while 残す is about the actor (I left the food). Using the wrong one can make your sentence sound like the food 'decided' to stay behind rather than you leaving it.

Mistake: Particle Confusion: Learners often use 'o' (を) with 'nokoru'. Incorrect: ご飯を残る。 Correct: ご飯が残る。 Since 'nokoru' is intransitive, it cannot take a direct object.

❌ 宿題を残る。 (Incorrect usage of 'o')
✅ 宿題が残る。 (Homework remains.)

Another common error is using 残る when you actually mean 泊まる (tomaru), which means 'to stay overnight' at a hotel or someone's house. While both can be translated as 'to stay' in English, 残る implies staying behind when others leave, whereas 泊まる specifically refers to lodging. If you say 'I remained at the hotel' using 残る, it sounds like the hotel was being demolished and you were the only thing left standing!

Mistake: Confusion with 'Stay': English speakers often use 'stay' for both 'remaining' and 'lodging'. In Japanese, these are strictly separated. Use 'nokoru' for 'remaining' and 'tomaru' for 'lodging'.

❌ ホテルに残る。 (Unless you are staying behind while friends leave)
✅ ホテルに泊まる。 (To stay/lodge at a hotel.)

Lastly, be careful with the nuances of 'remaining' in a competition. Some learners use 残る for 'winning,' but it specifically means 'not being eliminated.' You can 'remain' in the top 4 without actually winning the whole thing. Understanding this distinction is important for accurate sports reporting or discussion.

While 残る (nokoru) is the most general term for remaining, several other words share similar meanings but have distinct nuances. Understanding these differences will elevate your Japanese from basic to advanced. Words like 留まる (tomaru), 生き残る (ikinokoru), and 残留する (zanryuu suru) all touch upon the concept of staying or remaining but are used in different contexts.

留まる (Tomaru / Todomaru): This means to stop or stay in one place. While 'nokoru' implies being left behind, 'todomaru' implies a choice or a physical halting of movement. For example, 'to stay at the current level' (現状に留まる).
生き残る (Ikinokoru): A compound verb meaning 'to survive.' It literally means 'to remain living.' It is used for surviving disasters, wars, or even tough business competition.
残留する (Zanryuu suru): A formal, often technical term for remaining. Used in chemistry (residual substances) or sports (staying in a league). It is the Suru-verb version of the concept.

記憶に残る vs 記憶に留める。
('Nokoru' is passive: memories stay. 'Todomeru' is active: you keep the memories.)

Another interesting comparison is with 余る (amaru). While both can mean 'to be left over,' 余る specifically means 'to be in excess' or 'to be more than needed.' If you have 10 people and 12 chairs, 2 chairs are 余っている. If you have 10 people and 8 chairs, no chairs are 残っていない. 残る is more neutral, while 余る implies a surplus.

Finally, consider 居残る (inokoru). This is specifically used for people staying behind at a place where they were supposed to leave, like a student staying after school for extra help or punishment. It combines iru (to be) and nokoru (to remain).

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

ご飯が少し残っています。

A little bit of rice remains.

Uses 'ga' to mark the subject and 'te-iru' for state.

あと五分残っています。

Five minutes are left.

'Ato' indicates the remaining amount.

友達はみんな帰ったが、私は残った。

All my friends went home, but I stayed.

Simple past 'nokotta' for staying behind.

パンが一つ残りました。

One piece of bread remained.

Polite past 'nokorimashita'.

お金が残っていません。

No money is left.

Negative 'te-imasen' for state.

教室に誰か残っていますか？

Is anyone remaining in the classroom?

Question form.

ケーキが半分残った。

Half the cake remained.

Casual past.

水が少し残っている。

A little water is left.

Casual state form.

仕事がまだ残っているので、帰れません。

I still have work left, so I can't go home.

Reasoning with 'node'.

昨日のピザが冷蔵庫に残っている。

Yesterday's pizza is left in the fridge.

Location marked with 'ni'.

この町には古い家がたくさん残っている。

Many old houses remain in this town.

Describing physical survival.

彼は一人で会社に残りました。

He stayed at the company alone.

Polite past.

山に雪が残っています。

Snow remains on the mountain.

Natural state.

あと三日残っています。

Three days are left.

Time remaining.

いい思い出が残りました。

Good memories remained.

Abstract usage.

料理が余るほど残った。

So much food remained that it was in excess.

Using 'amaru' to emphasize excess.

その言葉は私の心に深く残った。

Those words remained deeply in my heart.

Abstract psychological impact.

この事故の傷跡が今も残っている。

The scars from this accident still remain today.

Physical trace/scar.

決勝戦に残ることができました。

I was able to remain (advance) to the finals.

Potential form 'nokoru koto ga dekiru'.

まだ熱が残っているので、休みます。

I still have a fever (heat remains), so I'll rest.

Medical context.

古い習慣がこの地域には残っている。

Old customs still remain in this region.

Cultural survival.

インクのしみが服に残ってしまった。

An ink stain unfortunately remained on my clothes.

'te-shimau' indicates regret.

名前が歴史に残るような人になりたい。

I want to be a person whose name remains in history.

Metaphorical usage.

彼は最後まで反対側に残った。

He remained on the opposing side until the end.

Stance/position.

戦争の爪痕が各地に色濃く残っている。

The scars of war remain vividly in various places.

Formal expression 'irokoku nokoru'.

悔いの残らないように全力を尽くす。

I will do my best so that no regrets remain.

Negative potential-like nuance 'nokoranai you ni'.

この建物は江戸時代の面影を残している。

This building retains the traces of the Edo period.

Note: 'nokoshite iru' (transitive) is often used here, but 'nokotte iru' works for state.

上位四チームが準決勝に残った。

The top four teams remained (advanced) to the semifinals.

Competition context.

彼女の歌声が耳に残っている。

Her singing voice is lingering in my ears.

Sensory lingering.

不純物がフィルターに残る。

Impurities remain in the filter.

Technical/Scientific context.

彼にはまだ迷いが残っているようだ。

It seems that hesitation still remains in him.

Abstract state of mind.

記録に残るような大雪だった。

It was a heavy snow that will remain in the records.

Record-breaking context.

古文書が奇跡的に戦火を免れて残った。

The ancient documents miraculously escaped the fires of war and remained.

Formal historical narrative.

都会の喧騒の中に、わずかに静寂が残る。

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, a slight silence remains.

Literary contrast.

その判決は後世に禍根を残すことになった。

That verdict ended up leaving a source of future trouble (remained as a grudge).

Note: 'nokosu' is used for the act, 'nokoru' for the state of the grudge.

微かな香りが部屋に残っている。

A faint scent remains in the room.

Subtle sensory description.

彼は政界に強い影響力を残している。

He retains strong influence in the political world.

Abstract power/influence.

削り残した部分を丁寧に仕上げる。

Carefully finish the parts that were left un-shaved.

Compound-like usage 'kezuri-nokoshita'.

未だに封建的な考え方が根強く残っている。

Feudalistic ways of thinking still remain deeply rooted.

Sociological critique.

夕闇の中に、山の稜線がくっきりと残る。

In the twilight, the ridge of the mountain remains clearly visible.

Visual/Poetic description.

万葉の息吹が今なおこの地に色濃く残る。

The breath of the Manyo era still remains vividly in this land.

High-level poetic expression.

言葉の端々に、彼の苦悩が滲み残っている。

In every word, traces of his suffering seep through and remain.

Metaphorical/Literary.

文明が滅びても、その叡智は断片的に残るだろう。

Even if civilization perishes, its wisdom will likely remain in fragments.

Philosophical speculation.

細胞レベルで記憶が残るという説がある。

There is a theory that memories remain at the cellular level.

Scientific/Theoretical.

静謐な空気の中に、先ほどまでの熱狂の残滓が漂う。

In the tranquil air, the remnants of the previous excitement drift.

Use of 'zansai' (remnants).

歴史の荒波を越え、その真実だけが冷徹に残った。

Overcoming the rough waves of history, only that truth remained coldly.

Personification of history.

筆致に作者の迷いが微塵も残っていない。

Not a shred of the author's hesitation remains in the brushwork.

Artistic critique.

悠久の時を経て、石碑の文字は辛うじて残っている。

After eternal time, the characters on the stone monument barely remain.

Temporal depth.

Collocations courantes

記憶に残る (stay in memory)

心に残る (stay in the heart)

記録に残る (stay in records)

跡が残る (leave a trace)

仕事が残る (work remains)

お金が残る (money remains)

印象に残る (leave an impression)

勝ち残る (survive/win through)

生き残る (survive)

居残る (stay behind/after hours)

Phrases Courantes

あと少し残っている (A little bit is left)

最後まで残る (Stay until the end)

名が残る (One's name remains/becomes famous)

歴史に残る (Go down in history)

手元に残る (Remain on hand)

形に残る (Remain in a physical form)

心に深く残る (Remain deeply in the heart)

一人だけ残る (Only one person remains)

使い残る (To be left unused)

売れ残る (To remain unsold)

Souvent confondu avec

残る vs 残す (nokosu)

Nokosu is transitive (to leave something), Nokoru is intransitive (something remains).

残る vs 泊まる (tomaru)

Tomaru is to stay overnight/lodge, Nokoru is to stay behind/remain.

残る vs 留まる (todomaru)

Todomaru implies stopping or staying in one place/level, often by choice.

Expressions idiomatiques

Facile à confondre

残る vs

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

nuance

Nokoru implies a passive state of being left, whereas nokosu is an active choice.

social

Staying late (nokoru) is a common topic of social complaint or pride in Japan.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'o' particle
Nokoru is intransitive.
Confusing with 'tomaru'
Nokoru is for staying behind, not lodging.
Confusing with 'nokosu'
Nokosu is transitive; Nokoru is intransitive.
Using for 'winning'
Nokoru just means you weren't eliminated.
Misusing 'amaru'
Nokoru is more general.

Astuces

Particle Choice

Always use 'ga' for the thing that remains. Never use 'o' with 'nokoru' because it is an intransitive verb. This is the most common mistake for beginners.

At Restaurants

If you can't finish your food, you can say 'Nokoshite shimaimashita' (I accidentally left some). If you want to know if there's more, ask 'Mada nokotte imasu ka?'

Sumo Spirit

Remember the referee's 'Nokotta!' to associate the word with staying inside a boundary and persisting under pressure.

Working Late

Instead of saying 'I am doing zangyou,' saying 'Kaisha ni nokoru' sounds a bit more natural and less like a formal complaint.

Memories

Use 'Kokoro ni nokoru' for things that made a deep impression. It sounds much more sophisticated than just saying you remember something.

Traces

When describing the aftermath of an event, use 'ato ga nokoru' (a trace remains). It's a very common and useful collocation in descriptive writing.

Nokoru vs Amaru

Think of 'amaru' as 'too much' and 'nokoru' as 'still here'. If you have 5 seats for 3 people, 2 seats 'amaru'. If 3 people leave and 2 stay, 2 people 'nokoru'.

Ato Usage

Pair 'nokoru' with 'ato' for time and quantity. 'Ato sukoshi' (a little left) is a phrase you will use almost every day in Japan.

State vs Action

Listen for 'nokotte iru' vs 'nokotta'. The first describes the current state (it's there now), the second describes the past event (it stayed behind).

Compound Verbs

Learn 'kachinokoru' (to win and advance) and 'ikinokoru' (to survive). These are very common in news and storytelling.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a 'NO-KO' (no-go) zone where things 'remain' and don't leave.

Origine du mot

Contexte culturel

The referee (Gyoji) shouts 'Nokotta!' when wrestlers are actively pushing each other but neither has fallen or stepped out.

Staying late (nokoru) is often a sign of dedication, though this is changing with modern labor reforms.

Finishing everything on your plate is a sign of respect to the cook and the ingredients.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"まだご飯残ってる？ (Is there any food left?)"

"昨日、何時まで会社に残ってたの？ (Until what time did you stay at the office yesterday?)"

"一番心に残っている映画は何？ (What movie has stayed in your heart the most?)"

"この町に古い建物は残っていますか？ (Are there any old buildings remaining in this town?)"

"あとどのくらい時間が残っていますか？ (How much time is remaining?)"

Sujets d'écriture

今日、心に残った出来事を書いてください。 (Write about an event that stayed in your heart today.)

冷蔵庫に残っているもので何が作れますか？ (What can you make with what's left in the fridge?)

あなたが歴史に残したいものは何ですか？ (What is something you want to leave in history?)

仕事や勉強が残っているとき、どう感じますか？ (How do you feel when work or study remains?)

子供の頃の思い出で、今も鮮やかに残っているものは？ (Which childhood memory remains vividly today?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, you should use 'tomaru' for lodging. 'Nokoru' means staying behind when others leave or being left over. If you use 'nokoru' at a hotel, it sounds like you were left behind by your group or the hotel is empty.

'Nokoru' is a general term for remaining. 'Amaru' specifically means there is an excess or more than what is needed. For example, if you have extra money after buying everything, it's 'amaru'. If you just have some money left in your wallet, it's 'nokoru'.

'Nokoru' is a dictionary form verb. To be polite, use 'nokorimasu'. In very formal situations, you might use 'zanryuu suru' or 'nokotte orimasu' (humble).

You use the transitive 'nokosu' for this: 'messeeji o nokosu'. You cannot use 'nokoru' because you are the one performing the action of leaving the message.

It is the referee's shout to the wrestlers, meaning 'You are still in! Stay in the ring!' It encourages them to keep fighting and not fall out.

Yes, it is used when people stay behind in a place after others have left, like staying late at the office or staying in a city after friends move away.

You say 'Ato juppun nokotte imasu' or simply 'Ato juppun desu'. 'Nokoru' adds the nuance of 'remaining'.

'Inokoru' is a compound verb (iru + nokoru) that specifically means to stay behind at a place where you were expected to leave, like a student staying after school.

Yes, especially in competitions (kachinokoru) or in the compound 'ikinokoru' (to survive a disaster). On its own, it can mean staying in a league or tournament.

The subject that remains takes 'ga'. The location where it remains takes 'ni'. Example: 'Reizouko (ni) keeki (ga) nokotte iru'.