余
surname Yu; (literary) I; me; extra; surplus; remaining; remainder after division; (following numerical value) or more; in excess of (some number); residue (math.); after; I; me
Closest English meanings
I·me·surplus·remaining·more
The Calligrapher — Mò Shìlóng 莫是龙
Ming literati calligrapher of vigorous running script.
Ming calligrapher (), master of running script — known for 《画说》. Ming dynasty
Cultural Story
余 is the humble "I" of the exiled poet. Su Shi signs letters 余 when far from court; the 楚辞 speaks in this first person. It also means what is left: 余年 the remaining years, 余味 the aftertaste of a poem. A cook saves 余下 broth for morning. To be 余 is to be both speaker and surplus.
Common words & phrases
- 余下 remaining · left over · the rest
- 业余 amateur · spare time · after-hours · leisure
- 多余 superfluous · excess · redundant · surplus
- 余年 remaining years · the rest of life · later years
- 余力 spare energy · surplus effort · reserve strength
- 余味 aftertaste · lingering taste · reverberation
Read the story behind the character
After the meal the 余下 rice goes into the fridge; a worker joins an 业余 painting class. The report notes no 多余 cost, and a retiree speaks of quiet 余年 at home. A tea drinker savors the 余味 of the cup. Leftover, spare, and lingering — the word tracks what remains after the day's main business.
Own this character
Purchase delivers the original SVG of this glyph, brushed by Mò Shìlóng 莫是龙, ready to place on skin, paper, or screen.