Entry
やっと
yatto
An adverb indicating that a desired result was achieved after considerable time or effort, or that something was achieved by a very narrow margin.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
やっと (yatto) is used when you feel relieved because something has finally been completed or achieved after a long wait or hard work. Additionally, it can mean 'barely' or 'just', describing a situation where success was achieved but only by the skin of your teeth.
- finally achieving something with relief
- barely managing to do something
Sense Map
Finally / At Last
Expresses relief that a hoped-for event has occurred after a long time, waiting, or significant effort.
やっと終わった
Barely / Just
Indicates that a threshold was met or a task succeeded, but with almost no room to spare.
やっと間に合った
Usage Note
How to Use
やっと + verb
Placed immediately before a verb to express that the action was finally completed or barely accomplished.
やっとのことで + verb
An emphatic phrase meaning 'with great difficulty' or 'after much trouble'.
やっとの思いで + verb
Similar to the above, highlighting the intense emotional or physical strain required to reach the goal.
How to Use
Common Phrases
やっと終わった
finally finished
やっと間に合った
barely made it in time
やっと見つけた
finally found
やっとのことで
with much difficulty / at last
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Completing a hard task | positive | Expresses a deep sense of relief and accomplishment. |
| Catching a train right as the doors close | neutral | Shows relief mixed with the stress of narrowly avoiding failure. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ついに ついに / similar | Use for the culmination of a long process, big life events, or historical moments; can be objective and used for both good and bad results. | やっと is highly subjective and focuses on personal effort and the emotional relief of the speaker. You cannot use it for tragic endings. | ついに完成した |
ぎりぎり ぎりぎり / similar | Use when focusing purely on the lack of remaining time or space (the limit itself). | やっと focuses on the human effort required to overcome that thin margin, whereas ギリギリ simply describes the objective state of being close to the limit. | ギリギリ間に合った |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using やっと to describe an ultimate failure or tragic event.
Use とうとう or ついに for negative final outcomes (e.g., 'he finally died'). やっと carries a strong nuance of relief.
Confusing it with 'soon'.
やっと describes a realization in the present after past waiting; it does not mean 'it will happen soon' (use もうすぐ for that).
Examples
Examples
３時間かかって、やっと宿題が終わった。
３じかんかかって、やっとしゅくだいがおわった。
It took 3 hours, but I finally finished my homework.
LiteralShows relief after a long effort.
ずっと待っていたバスがやっと来た。
ずっとまっていたバスがやっときた。
The bus I had been waiting for so long finally arrived.
LiteralUsed after waiting patiently.
走って、やっと最終電車に間に合った。
はしって、やっとさいしゅうでんしゃにまにあった。
I ran and barely made it in time for the last train.
VisualDescribes a borderline or barely successful situation.
給料が少なくて、やっと生活できるレベルだ。
きゅうりょうがすくなくて、やっとせいかつできるレベルだ。
My salary is low, so it's barely enough to make a living.
FigurativeShows a minimum financial threshold.
道に迷ったが、やっとのことで家に着いた。
みちにまよったが、やっとのことでいえについた。
I got lost, but I managed to finally get home after a lot of trouble.
LiteralEmphasizes the hard struggle to overcome trouble.
Similar Words
ついに
tsuini
Both mean 'finally', but 'tsuini' is more objective and lacks the nuance of emotional relief. It can be used for bad outcomes.
ギリギリ
girigiri
Similar to 'yatto' in the 'barely' sense, but 'girigiri' purely emphasizes the lack of remaining time or space.
Questions
Can I use 'yatto' when something bad finally happens?
No, 'yatto' usually implies you wanted it to happen and feel relieved. For bad things, use 'toutou' (とうとう) or 'tsuini' (ついに).
What is the difference between 'yatto' and 'tsuini'?
'Yatto' highlights the struggle, effort, and speaker's relief. 'Tsuini' is more objective and often used for grander scales, final conclusions, or even negative outcomes.
How does 'yatto' mean 'barely'?
When you put a lot of effort into making a deadline or affording something, you 'finally' reach the minimum requirement, which translates to 'barely' making it.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012800
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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