余裕 vs ゆとり
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 余裕
Listen to ゆとり
| 余裕 | ゆとり |
|---|---|
yo-YUU noun | yutori noun |
| Extra time, space, or mental calm; a sense of being relaxed and not under pressure. | extra room, margin, or leeway; a relaxed state with time or mental space |
How they differ
ゆとり is close to 余裕, but it often emphasizes having a margin of time, money, or physical space rather than a composed mental attitude. 余裕 is more strongly used for “being calm enough to handle something,” while ゆとり is more natural when talking about schedules, budgets, or design space.
When to use each
When to use 余裕: Use 余裕 when you want to stress calmness, confidence, or the feeling of not being pressured.
When to use ゆとり: Use ゆとり when you want to stress practical extra margin, such as in time, space, or finances.
Side-by-side examples
- 今日は時間に余裕があるので、ゆっくり話せます。
(I have plenty of time today, so I can talk slowly.) - 今日は時間にゆとりがあるので、ゆっくり話せます。
(I have some extra time today, so I can talk slowly.)
Register & nuance: ゆとり is common in everyday Japanese and is especially natural in practical contexts like schedules, plans, and policies.