Structure
Verb[て]+ よかった
Verb[なくて](*) + よかった
Verb[ないで](**) + よかった
(*) Mostly found in literary/written language
(**) Mostly found in spoken language
Details
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Standard
使用域
一般
About てよかった
When て (or で when following ない) is paired with the past form of the い-Adjective, いい; てよかった, なくてよかった, or ないでよかった will have the meaning of 'I'm glad that (A)' (when positive), or 'I'm glad that I didn't (A)' (when negative).
- やっぱり今日来てよかったね。Actually, I'm glad that we came today, don't you think?
- あの携帯を買わなくて良かった。I'm glad that I didn't buy that cellphone.
- あの時にお前と別れないで良かった。I'm glad that we didn't break up that one time.
- 先輩、今日の会議で余計なことを言わなくて良かったですね。Senpai, aren't you glad that you didn't say anything more at the meeting today? (A bit more formal, focuses on expressing reasons or results)
- 行った人皆が風邪引いたの?昨日のパーティーへ行かないでよかった!Everyone that went caught a cold? I'm glad that I didn't go to last night's party! (A bit more casual, focus more on 'not doing' something)
Synonyms
Examples
勉強をしてよかったです。
I am glad that I studied.
今日はデザートを食べなくてよかったです。
I am glad that I didn't eat dessert today.
このバスに間に合ってよかったです。
I am glad that I made it in time for this bus.
今日運動してよかった。
I'm glad that I exercised today.
要らないと思っていたけど、持って来てよかった。
I didn't think that I needed it, but I'm glad that I brought it.
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How to express your feelings with よかった
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It’s Good That…~てよかった
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Genki II 1st Edition
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Genki II 2nd Edition
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てよかった – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (12 in total)
Johnathan-Weir
@Pushindawood
Been a while but I was looking into this again while I’m restudying N4 grammar and I think I’ve found an answer. So based on this link:
attn7124
can てよかった be used to say something like “I am glad that he did something”?
can it also be used to describe a situation like “he is glad that he did something”?
Daru
Yes of course! The sentence just needs to reflect that as the ‘he’ part of the sentence is not dependent of てよかった.
彼はそうやってよかった。
In a bit ...
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