剩下 (shèng xia) is a separable verb meaning 'to remain' or 'to be left over' — literally, 'to surplus + down'. The character 剩 means 'remaining, surplus', and 下 adds directional or resultative nuance, indicating something left behind after an action (e.g., eating, using, or departing). It’s commonly used when referring to leftover food, unspent money, unsold items, or people who stay behind after others leave.

This verb functions as a predicate or complement in sentences and often appears with objects (e.g., 剩下三个人, 'three people remain') or in resultative constructions (e.g., 吃剩下, 'eat until something remains'). Unlike the stative verb 有余 (yǒu yú), which is formal and quantitative, 剩下 is neutral, colloquial, and widely used in everyday speech and writing. It implies a concrete, observable remainder — not just abstract excess.