Usage of 剩 (shèng)
The character 剩 primarily means "to remain" or "to be left over." It is commonly used to describe quantities or items that are left after some have been used or consumed.
Common contexts
- Food or items remaining after consumption or use (e.g., 饭剩了 - rice left over).
- Time or tasks remaining (e.g., 剩下的时间 - remaining time).
- Money or resources left after spending or donation.
Collocations and patterns
- 剩下 + noun: to indicate what remains (剩下的钱 - the money left).
- 还剩 + quantity: to emphasize that some amount still remains (还剩一点 - still a little left).
Nuances
Using 剩 often implies a smaller quantity than before, sometimes with a slight sense of waste or surplus. It is neutral in tone and widely used in both spoken and written Chinese.
Common confusion
Don't confuse 剩 with 留 (liú), which also means "to leave" but often implies intentionally keeping or saving something, whereas 剩 emphasizes what is left unintentionally or naturally after use.