Translation guide
How to express that something good happened by chance or luck, or that a situation turned out well.
Express that a positive outcome occurred by chance or luck, often at the start of a sentence.
A common, neutral way to say 'fortunately' or 'luckily'. Used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a fortunate event.
Fortunately, the weather was good.
Fortunately, he was safe.
Literally 'with good luck'. Emphasizes the role of luck. Slightly more casual than 幸いなことに.
Fortunately, I caught the train.
A casual, loanword-based expression. Common in spoken Japanese, especially among younger people.
Luckily, I found my wallet.
Express relief or gratitude that something turned out well, often implying a worse outcome was possible.
Conveys a sense of gratitude. 'Thankfully' or 'I'm grateful that...'. Slightly more emotional than 幸いなことに.
Thankfully, everyone was safe.
Literally 'more than anything'. Used to emphasize that the most important thing is good. Often translated as 'fortunately' or 'thankfully' in context.
Describe a coincidence or chance occurrence that led to a good result, often with a nuance of 'it turned out that...'
Express that a situation is favorable, often in a casual, conversational way.
Attach to the te-form of a verb or adjective to say 'I'm glad that...' or 'It's good that...'. Very common in speech.
Fortunately, I brought an umbrella. / Good thing I brought an umbrella.
It's a good thing we left early.
幸いなことに focuses on the fortunate outcome itself, while ありがたいことに adds a nuance of personal gratitude. Use ありがたいことに when you feel thankful to someone or something.
Fortunately, I passed the exam.
Thankfully, the teacher helped me.
There is no single Japanese adverb that covers all uses of 'fortunately'. Translating it as 幸運にも (こううんにも) is possible but sounds stiff and literary. In most cases, use the phrases above depending on the nuance.
Fortunately, the store was still open.
Fortunately, I had some money with me.
Fortunately, nobody was injured.
何より、けががなくて良かった。
Fortunately, no one was hurt.
As luck would have it, I was staying at the same hotel as him.