How to Write 余 (yú) — Meaning “surplus; remainder; I (formal)”

Picture a person (人) standing next to a large pile of grain (禾) that is more than they need — that extra is the "surplus." You can also remember that "I" (余) often have extra things, linking the formal pronoun to the idea of surplus.

Make sure the top 人 is wide enough to cover the bottom part. The bottom has two horizontal strokes, then a vertical hook, and finally a left-falling stroke and a dot — it is not the same as 示 (which has a dot on top). A common mistake is adding an extra dot or mixing up the last two strokes.

余 has a person on top and a grain-like bottom (with two horizontals and a hook), meaning surplus. 仝 has 人 on top and 工 (work) below, meaning "same" or "together." 令 has 人 on top and a curved shape with a dot (卩-like), meaning "order" or "command." Their bottom parts are visually distinct.

余 is commonly found in words like 业余 (yè yú, spare time or amateur), 剩余 (shèng yú, remainder), and 多余 (duō yú, unnecessary). As a formal pronoun meaning "I," it appears in written speeches, classical quotes, or polite correspondence, but not in everyday conversation.

Common words containing 余 include: 业余 (yè yú) — Amateur / Spare time; 剩余 (shèng yú) — surplus; remainder; 多余 (duō yú) — Extra, surplus, or unnecessary..