よくよく
Meanings
carefully; thoroughly; closely
Used when examining, considering, or thinking about something with great care and attention.
After thinking it over very carefully, I decided to decline the offer.
Please check these documents very carefully before submitting them.
Emphasizes the degree of a state or quality; often used in negative or surprising contexts.
For him to say such a thing, something very unusual must have happened.
I can only say that it's extremely bad luck.
unavoidable; have no choice; cannot be helped
Used in set expressions like よくよくのこと or よくよくの事情 to indicate that a situation is beyond one's control or leaves no alternative.
Unless there are unavoidable circumstances, we cannot extend the deadline.
He must have had no choice but to quit the company.
Usage patterns
- よくよく考えるto think something over very carefully
I gave my reply only after thinking it over very carefully.
- よくよく運が悪いto be extremely unlucky
All I can say is that I've been extremely unlucky.
- よくよくの事情unavoidable circumstances; some pressing reason
There must have been some unavoidable reason for it.
- よくよく見るto look closely at something
Looking closely, I saw that it was a fake.