Meaning and Usage
"残る" (のこる) is a common verb meaning "to remain" or "to be left." It is used when something continues to exist after other parts are gone or used up. This can refer to physical objects, time, feelings, or abstract things.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "残る" when talking about leftover food, remaining time, or unfinished tasks. For example, "宿題が残る" means "homework remains." It can also describe something that stays behind after an event or action.
Collocations and Patterns
- 残る時間 (のこるじかん): remaining time, used when discussing how much time is left.
- 残る食べ物 (のこるたべもの): leftover food, common in daily life.
- 何かが残る: something remains, a general pattern.
Register and Nuance
"残る" is neutral and can be used in both casual and polite contexts. It is an intransitive verb, so it does not take a direct object.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "残る" with the transitive verb "残す" (のこす), which means "to leave something behind" intentionally. Remember, "残る" focuses on what remains by itself, while "残す" emphasizes the action of leaving something.