Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 6: 3/16

~てよかった
I'm glad that

Structure
Casual
Polite
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
Verb[て]+ よかった + です
Verb[なくて](*)+ よかった + です
Verb[ないで](**) + よかった + です

(*) Mostly found in literary/written language
(**) Mostly found in spoken language
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
When (or 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
    Actually, I'm glad that we came today, don't you think?
  • あの携帯(けいたい)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)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)会議(かいぎ)余計(よけい)こと言(い)わなくて良(よ)かったです
    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)っ人(ひと)皆(みんな)風邪(かぜ)引(ひ)い?昨日(きのう)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)
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
勉強(べんきょう)てよかったです
I am glad that I studied.
Play  
今日(きょう)デザート食(た)べなくてよかったです
I am glad that I didn't eat dessert today.
Play  
このバス間(ま)合(あ)ってよかったです
I am glad that I made it in time for this bus.
Play  
Books
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 141
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 171