soprannumero

surplus (of personnel)

noun soh-pran-NOO-meh-roh Rare

Also means

excess number

Usage Note

Soprannumero is almost always used in the fixed phrase in soprannumero ('in excess', 'supernumerary'), referring to staff or people beyond the authorized quota — dipendenti in soprannumero ('excess employees'). It is used as an invariable noun: il soprannumero. In everyday speech it can also apply informally to any situation where there are too many of something.

Examples

"Ci sono dipendenti in soprannumero in quell'ufficio."

Natural Translation

There are surplus employees in that office.

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