remnant / leftover
Loading your saved state.
remnant
A remainder or small part of something that has been left after the disappearance, destruction, or consumption of the larger whole.
Die alte Ruine ist das letzte Überbleibsel der mittelalterlichen Burg.
The old ruin is the last remnant of the medieval castle.
'Das Überbleibsel' (the remnant/leftover) is derived from the separable verb 'überbleiben' (to be left over). It refers to what remains after a process or destruction.
Vom großen Festessen ist nur ein kleines Überbleibsel im Kühlschrank.
Only a small leftover from the big feast is in the refrigerator.
To say what something is a remnant of, the preposition 'von' (of/from) followed by the dative is usually used. You speak of an 'Überbleibsel von etwas' (a remnant of something).
Diese alte Tradition ist ein Überbleibsel aus einer längst vergangenen Zeit.
This old tradition is a remnant from a long-past era.
The word is often used for historical or old things that come from an earlier era. However, it can also refer to abstract things such as habits or ideas.
Die Ruine ist ein Überbleibsel einer römischen Villa.
The ruin is a remnant of a Roman villa.
rest / remainder
'der Rest' and 'das Überbleibsel' both mean something that has remained from a larger whole. 'der Rest' is the normal word and fits in almost any everyday situation. 'das Überbleibsel' sounds more specific and often means a small, visible part of something that used to be larger or more important. You use it, for example, for old things, traces, or parts left after an event. In everyday language, people usually say 'Rest'. 'Überbleibsel' fits when the remaining part feels like a trace from the past.
Auf dem Dachboden findet Lena ein Überbleibsel aus der Kindheit ihres Vaters.
In the attic, Lena finds a remnant from her father's childhood.
Am Ende der Besprechung klären wir noch den Rest der Fragen.
At the end of the meeting, we will clarify the remaining questions.