# 绰绰有余

chuò chuò yǒu yú

Have more than enough

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Spaciously leave a surplus

**Traditional Chinese:** 綽綽有餘

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe ample time, money, capacity, or ability.

Stronger than merely sufficient.

## Understanding the expression

The expression suggests comfortable room remaining after a need has been met. A budget covers the cost with money left over, a hall holds the guests easily, or a capable person handles a task without strain. It emphasizes a margin rather than exact sufficiency. The surplus is relative to a particular demand. Someone may be more than capable of one assignment while needing help with a much larger or unfamiliar responsibility.

## Examples

这些钱买票绰绰有余。

### Traditional Chinese

這些錢買票綽綽有餘。

zhè xiē qián mǎi piào chuò chuò yǒu yú 。

This money is more than enough for the tickets.

两小时完成作业绰绰有余。

### Traditional Chinese

兩小時完成作業綽綽有餘。

liǎng xiǎo shí wán chéng zuò yè chuò chuò yǒu yú 。

Two hours is more than enough to finish the homework.

这个大厅容纳百人绰绰有余。

### Traditional Chinese

這個大廳容納百人綽綽有餘。

zhè ge dà tīng róng nà bǎi rén chuò chuò yǒu yú 。

This hall can comfortably hold a hundred people.

让她主持小会议，绰绰有余。

### Traditional Chinese

讓她主持小會議，綽綽有餘。

ràng tā zhǔ chí xiǎo huì yì ， chuò chuò yǒu yú 。

She is more than capable of chairing a small meeting.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%B6%BD%E7%B6%BD%E6%9C%89%E9%A4%98)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=773&webMd=1&la=0)

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