The Meaning of nokorazu [残らず] In Japanese

残らず
のこらず
Romaji: nokorazu N5

What does 残らず mean?

Translation and Meaning

without leaving behind, without exception, completely, all of it

Definition

What 残らず means? It denotes doing something in its entirety with no exceptions, applied to actions that involve every item or person in a group, emphasizing thorough reach or completeness.

Type

adverb (副詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • All of something; no exceptions
  • Completely; without leaving any remnant
  • Used to stress thoroughness or universality of an action in formal or literary contexts

Etymology

From 残る (to remain) + ず, the negative suffix forming 残らず as a dedicated expression that conveys not leaving anything behind.

Composition

  • 残: to remain; remainder
  • らず: negative auxiliary form attached to 残る to express ‘not’ or lack of remaining

Usage

Used in formal writing and in everyday speech to indicate that every item or person is affected; it attaches to verbs and is often used with past or present contexts. 会議の資料は残らず配布された。彼は約束を残らず守った。
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a plate with nothing left after a meal—resonates with 残らず meaning no leftovers.

Variations

  • すべて (subete) — all
  • 全て (subete) — all
  • 全部 (zenbu) — all

Example Phrases

  • 彼は箱から残らずお菓子を食べた。
    Kare wa hako kara nokorazu okashi o tabeta.
    He ate all the candy from the box.
    Lista:
    • 彼は (kare wa) – he
    • 箱から (hako kara) – from the box
    • 残らず (nokorazu) – without leaving behind
    • お菓子を (okashi o) – candy
    • 食べた (tabeta) – ate
    「残らず」 means ‘without leaving any behind; entirely,’ here it modifies 食べた to show they ate all the candy.
残らず