Translation guide
This phrase describes the emotional state of being relieved or the manner in which something is done with relief. It is often expressed in Japanese through adverbs, adverbial phrases, or verbs that convey the sense of relief.
To say that you feel relieved because something worrying or stressful has ended or been resolved.
An adverbial phrase meaning 'with relief' or 'feeling relieved'. It comes from the onomatopoeia ほっと, which represents a sigh of relief. Commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese.
試験が終わってほっとした。
I felt relieved when the exam was over.
He sighed with relief.
The te-form of 安心する (to feel relieved), used adverbially to mean 'with relief' or 'feeling at ease'. Slightly more formal than ほっとして.
無事だと聞いて安心した。
I was relieved to hear that you were safe.
彼女は安心して微笑んだ。
She smiled with relief.
Literally 'stroking one's chest', this idiomatic phrase means 'with a great sense of relief'. It implies a stronger, more physical sense of relief after a significant worry.
全員無事で胸をなでおろした。
I was greatly relieved that everyone was safe.
An onomatopoeic adverb that can be used with verbs like する or 息をつく to mean 'with relief'. Often used in casual speech.
ほっと息をついた。
I breathed a sigh of relief.
To describe a physical or emotional reaction that shows relief, such as a sigh or a smile.
A formal phrase meaning 'with a look of relief'. 安堵 (あんど) is a noun meaning relief or reassurance. Used in written or formal contexts.
彼は安堵の表情でうなずいた。
He nodded with a look of relief.
A more casual way to say 'with a relieved face'. Uses the past tense of ほっとする.
子供はほっとした顔で笑った。
The child laughed with a relieved face.
To express relief after avoiding something bad, like an accident or a mistake.
An interjection expressing relief or mild exasperation, similar to 'phew' or 'oh, thank goodness'. Often used when a difficult situation is over.
やれやれ、やっと終わった。
Phew, it's finally over.
Literally 'was saved', this verb is often used to express relief when something bad was avoided. It can be used as an exclamation.
ああ、助かった。もうだめかと思った。
Oh, what a relief. I thought it was all over.
Both ほっと and 安心 express relief, but ほっと is more onomatopoeic and often describes a physical sigh or immediate feeling, while 安心 is a more general state of peace of mind. ほっと is common in casual speech, while 安心 is used in both casual and formal contexts.
The English phrase 'with a feeling of relief' is often not translated word-for-word into Japanese. Instead, Japanese uses adverbs, adverbial phrases, or specific verbs that inherently convey relief. Direct translations like 安心の気持ちで are unnatural.
彼女はほっとしてため息をついた。
She sighed with a feeling of relief.
安心して彼は目を閉じた。
With a feeling of relief, he closed his eyes.