Proverb / Kotowaza
残り物には福がある
Good things are found among the items others have left behind.
There is good fortune in the leftover things.
Quick Answer
Good things are found among the items others have left behind.
- Literal Image
- There is good fortune in the leftover things.
- How to Use It
- Used to describe a situation where someone who is last to choose ends up with something unexpectedly good, or to suggest that one does not need to rush to find success.
Meaning
This proverb suggests that things left behind by others may unexpectedly contain something of great value. It teaches that instead of rushing to be first, waiting or choosing last can sometimes lead to a better result.
Literal Image
There is good fortune in the leftover things.
How to Use It
Used to describe a situation where someone who is last to choose ends up with something unexpectedly good, or to suggest that one does not need to rush to find success.
Tone
Encouraging and optimistic.
Examples
残り物には福があるで、最後に選んだ商品が一番の当たりだった。
As they say, there is fortune in leftovers; the product I chose last turned out to be the best one.
残り物には福があると言うから、焦って選ばなくても大丈夫だ。
They say that there is fortune in leftovers, so it is fine even if you do not rush to choose.
残り物には福があるの言葉通り、売れ残りの中にお宝を見つけた。
Just as the proverb says about fortune in leftovers, I found a treasure among the items that had not been sold.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
The vocabulary consists of words like 'nokori' (remainder) and 'fuku' (fortune), and the sentence structure is a simple A-wa-B-ga-aru pattern.
残り物
のこりもの / nokorimono
leftovers, things left behind
福
ふく / fuku
good fortune, luck
Usage Profile
Misread Risk
While it can be used to comfort someone who is last, it should not be used in a way that sounds like a sarcastic dismissal of someone's misfortune.
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.