remnant / leftover
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remnant
The remaining part of something that has been destroyed, has passed, or has been used up. Very often used in the plural.
Die Archäologen untersuchen die Überreste einer alten Siedlung.
The archaeologists are examining the remnants of an ancient settlement.
leftover
Specifically, the remains of a meal that were not eaten.
Die Überreste vom Abendessen hebe ich für morgen auf.
I'm saving the leftovers from dinner for tomorrow.
The word is made up of 'über' (over/remaining) and 'Rest' (rest/remainder). So it literally describes something that has been left over as a remainder.
Vom alten Schloss sind nur noch wenige Überreste vorhanden.
Only a few remnants of the old castle remain.
This noun is very often used in the plural, 'die Überreste' (the remains/remnants), especially when referring to the remains of destroyed things or historical finds.
Die Überreste des römischen Lagers sind heute eine Touristenattraktion.
The remains of the Roman camp are now a tourist attraction.
In historical or archaeological contexts, the word is often used with 'sterbliche Überreste' (mortal remains, corpse) or in combinations such as 'die Überreste einer Zivilisation' (the remnants of a civilization) or 'eines Gebäudes' (of a building).
Die sterblichen Überreste des Königs wurden in der Kathedrale beigesetzt.
The king's mortal remains were buried in the cathedral.
When talking about food, 'Überrest' is a simple word for what is left over from a meal. The context always makes the meaning clear here.
Kann ich die Überreste von der Pizza für morgen haben?
Can I have the leftovers from the pizza for tomorrow?
rest / remainder
Rest is the neutral, general term for a part that remains. Überrest often refers to something preserved from a destroyed or bygone whole and is often used in the plural. „Rest“ is appropriate for an ordinary amount that remains, while „Überrest“ is more suitable for traces of the past.
Nach dem Brand standen nur noch Überreste der alten Mauer.
After the fire, only remnants of the old wall were still standing.
Nach dem Umbau blieb ein Rest der alten Mauer stehen.
After the renovation, part of the old wall was still standing.
