How to Say ‘Phew!’ in Japanese
よかった！
yokatsu ta
[yoh-KAHT tah]
💬 Usage Tip: Taken word for word, よかった means "it was good", but people blurt it out as relief whenever something bad was avoided. The small っ is a held beat: (yokatta).
Phrase Breakdown
よかっ
yokatsu
[yoh-KAHT]
good (past stem); phew, glad
Past stem of いい/よい; よかった expresses relief: 'Thank goodness!'
間に合ってよかった。
I'm glad I made it in time.
た
ta
[tah]
past tense marker
Indicates past tense.
彼は来た。
He came.
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