Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 6: 3/16

～てよかった

I'm glad that

Structure

Verb［て］+ よかった
［い］Adjective［て］ + よかった
［な］Adjective + で + よかった
Noun + で + よかった


Verb［なくて］(*) + よかった
Verb［ないで］(**) + よかった
［い］Adjective［なくて］ + よかった
［な］Adjective＋でなくて + で + よかった
Noun＋でなくて + よかった

(*) Mostly found in literary/written language
(**) Mostly found in spoken language

Details

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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).

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.

Examples

--:--

    勉強(べんきょう)をしてよかったです。

    I am glad that I studied.

    今日(きょう)はデザートを食(た)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(ま)に合(あ)ってよかったです。

    I am glad that I made it in time for this bus.

    今日(きょう)運動(うんどう)してよかった。

    I'm glad that I did exercise today.

    要(い)らないと思(おも)っていたけど、持(も)ってきてよかった。

    I didn't think that I needed it, but I'm glad that I brought it.

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てよかった – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (15 in total)

  • RadicalC

    RadicalC

    How about with Nouns and adverbs?
    Im glad its not/wasn’t noun/adjective.
    thank you

  • Fuga

    Fuga

    Hey there @RadicalC !

    With nouns and な-adjectives, you would use じゃない・ではない before this grammar point.

    For example if you wanted to say, ‘I’m glad this job is not dangerous’, you would say, この仕事は危険じゃなくてよかった, in Japanese.

    I hope this helps!

  • RadicalC

    RadicalC

    Yea that’s what I surmised but on the page it doesn’t necessary mention Noun/adjective use so this is why I wondered.

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