よし

also: よーし · ようし

よ

し

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 1,000

Meanings

alright!; OK!; looking good!

An interjection expressing approval, readiness, or satisfaction. Often used when starting something or acknowledging a good situation.

よし、〈動どう詞し〉alright, (I'll do)~
よし、行いくぞ！
Alright, let's go!
よし！used alone to mark satisfaction with a result
よし！これで完かん成せいだ。
Alright! It's finished now.

ＯＫN1
よし is a native Japanese interjection of approval or resolve, while オーケー is the casual loanword equivalent of 'OK' used similarly to signal agreement.
さあN5
よし shows satisfaction or firm resolve before acting, while さあ is more neutral, just urging oneself or others to start something.
よっしゃ
よし is a more standard, slightly more formal interjection of agreement or readiness, while よっしゃ is a casual, energetic colloquial variant.
やった
よし is a self-encouraging 'alright!' said before or during an action, while やった is a reaction to a good outcome that already happened.

だめN5
よし expresses approval or readiness ('alright!'), while だめ expresses disapproval or refusal ('no good!').

Derived from the adjective 良い (よい/いい), with the classical terminal form よし used as an interjection.