余裕 vs 余力
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 余裕
Listen to 余力
| 余裕 | 余力 |
|---|---|
yo-YUU noun | yoryoku noun |
| Extra time, space, or mental calm; a sense of being relaxed and not under pressure. | reserve strength, spare capacity, or energy left over after doing something |
How they differ
余力 is about remaining physical, mental, or financial capacity, not about a relaxed mood. 余裕 can mean both spare capacity and a calm, composed feeling, but 余力 is narrower and usually focuses on how much strength or capacity is still available.
When to use each
When to use 余裕: Use 余裕 when you want to include a relaxed attitude or broad sense of spare capacity.
When to use 余力: Use 余力 when you specifically mean leftover energy, strength, or capacity after work or effort.
Side-by-side examples
- 試験前でも少し余裕がある。
(Even before the exam, I still have a little spare room.) - 今日は仕事が多くて、余力がない。
(I have no energy left today because I have a lot of work.)
Register & nuance: 余力 is somewhat formal and is often used in contexts like work, business, sports, and health.