How to Say ‘Have a surplus / abundance’ in Traditional Chinese
有餘
💬 Usage Tip: [有餘] means “more than enough.” It’s also a pun partner with [魚] (fish) because they sound the same in Mandarin.
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: This pun is why fish is so symbolic at Lunar New Year—people want [餘] (surplus) in money, luck, and food.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
有餘
[yǒu yú]
to have a surplus; to have extra
Means having extra left over; in Lunar New Year it’s a lucky phrase because 餘 sounds like 魚 (fish).
過年說「年年有餘」就是希望有餘、存款多一點。
Saying “surplus year after year” at New Year is hoping to have extra and save more money.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Spent three months in Taiwan and this app was my lifeline. The tonal practice with real scenarios helped me sound less like a textbook and more like a person.”
Laura H., 28, Photographer
“Shanghai business dinners require real Mandarin skills. This app’s scenario-based approach meant I could keep up with clients after just a month of practice.”
Ryan M., 36, Consultant
“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”
James O., 28, Remote Worker