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(きょう)来(き)てよかったね。
Actually, I'm glad that we came today, don't you think?
-
あの携帯(けいたい)を買(か)わなくて良(よ)かった。
I'm glad that I didn't buy that cellphone.
-
あの時(とき)にお前(まえ)と別(わか)れないで良(よ)かった。
I'm glad that we didn't break up that one time.
The primary difference between
なくてよかった and
ないでよかった in this expression, is that
ないでよかった will be used far more frequently in casual speech. Comparatively,
なくてよかった tends to be reserved for books, and may even be considered old-fashioned by some people.
-
先輩(せんぱい)、今日(きょう)の会議(かいぎ)で余計(よけい)なことを言(い)わなくて良(よ)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(い)った人(ひと)皆(みんな)が風邪(かぜ)引(ひ)いたの?昨日(きのう)のパーティーへ行(い)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)