やっと

や

っ

と

Common wordJLPTN4Freq.FrequencyTop 2,000

Meanings

adverb

onomatopoeic or mimetic wordusually written using kana alone

Expresses relief or satisfaction that something long-awaited or difficult has finally happened.

何なん時じ間かんも並ならんで、やっとチケットが買かえた。

After waiting in line for hours, I was finally able to buy a ticket.

adverb

onomatopoeic or mimetic wordusually written using kana alone

Indicates that something was achieved with great difficulty or by a very small margin; often used with verbs like 間に合う or 合格する.

やっとUsage99%
Usually written in kana. The kanji form 漸と is rare and not recommended for learners.
ヤットUsage1%
漸やっとUsage<1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; learners should use the kana spelling.

ようやく
More formal and often used in writing or polite speech. やっと is more colloquial and emotional.
ついに
Emphasizes the final outcome after a long process, without the sense of relief or difficulty that やっと carries.

The origin is uncertain; it is considered a mimetic adverb expressing the feeling of finally achieving something after effort or waiting.