JLPT N4Construction

Furigana

てよかったGlad that; relieved that

Expresses relief, satisfaction, or gratitude when the speaker looks back and judges that an action, event, or state had a welcome outcome.

Looking back on a welcome outcome

Use this construction when the result is already known and you now feel that it was good. The sentence can express simple satisfaction, strong relief, or gratitude depending on the situation. A following sentence often explains why the outcome was welcome.

Actions, avoided events, and welcome states

傘かさを持もってきてよかった。急きゅうに雨あめが降ふり始はじめた。

I'm glad I brought an umbrella. It suddenly started raining.

大だい事じな書しょ類るいを捨すてなくてよかった。

I'm glad I didn't throw away the important documents.

部屋へやが広ひろくてよかった。荷に物もつを全ぜん部ぶ置おけた。

I'm glad the room was spacious. I was able to put all the luggage in it.

会かい場じょうが静しずかでよかった。説せつ明めいがよく聞きこえた。

I'm glad the venue was quiet. I could hear the explanation clearly.

担たん当とうが田た中なかさんでよかった。すぐに相そう談だんできた。

I'm glad Tanaka was in charge. I was able to ask for advice right away.

What happened versus what you wish had happened

てよかった positively evaluates the actual outcome. By contrast, ばよかった usually expresses regret about a better action that was not taken.

事じ前ぜんに予よ約やくしてよかった。席せきを確かく保ほできた。

I'm glad I booked in advance. I was able to secure a seat.

予よ約やくすればよかった。もう席せきがない。

I should have booked. There are no seats left now.

More examples

電でん車しゃに間まに合あってよかったです。

I'm glad I made the train.

暗くらくなる前まえに帰かえってきてよかった。

I'm glad I came home before it got dark.

道みちに迷まよわなくてよかった。

I'm glad I didn't get lost.

大おおきな問もん題だいにならないでよかった。

I'm glad it didn't become a major problem.

ホテルが駅えきに近ちかくてよかったです。荷に物もつが多おおかったので助たすかりました。

I'm glad the hotel was close to the station. That helped because I had a lot of luggage.

今日きょうは仕し事ごとが休やすみでよかった。ゆっくり体からだを休やすめられた。

I'm glad I had the day off work today. I was able to get some proper rest.

子こどもたちが元げん気きでよかった。

I'm glad the children are doing well.

あのとき先せん生せいに相そう談だんしてよかったと思おもう。

I think it was good that I consulted the teacher then.