Translation guide
Expressing a sense of relief, reassurance, or the lifting of worry in Japanese. The most common and natural way is to use the phrase ほっとする (hotto suru), which is an onomatopoeic expression for a sigh of relief. Other options include verbs like 安心する (anshin suru) for peace of mind, and 胸をなでおろす (mune o nadeorosu) for a more vivid, physical sense of relief.
Expressing that you feel relieved after a worry or tension has passed.
This is the most common and natural way to say 'feel relieved' in Japanese. It's an onomatopoeic expression mimicking a sigh of relief. Used in casual and neutral contexts.
試験が終わってほっとした。
I felt relieved after the exam was over.
無事だと聞いてほっとしました。
I was relieved to hear that you were safe.
Means to feel at ease or reassured. Slightly more formal than ほっとする, and often used when a specific worry is resolved. Can be used in both spoken and written Japanese.
子供が無事に帰ってきて安心した。
I was relieved when my child came home safely.
その知らせを聞いて安心しました。
I felt relieved to hear that news.
Literally 'to stroke one's chest', this idiom vividly expresses a sense of relief, as if you are physically calming your heart. It's a bit more expressive and often used in storytelling or when the relief is strong.
全員無事だとわかって胸をなでおろした。
I felt a huge sense of relief when I found out everyone was safe.
A combination of ほっと and 胸をなでおろす, emphasizing the relief. It's a bit redundant but used for stronger effect.
ほっと胸をなでおろしました。
I breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Expressing relief specifically after being worried or scared about something.
Again, the go-to phrase. Works perfectly for relief from anxiety.
心配していたけど、大丈夫だと聞いてほっとした。
I was worried, but I felt relieved when I heard it was okay.
Also very common for relief from anxiety. Often used with ～て安心する (feel relieved that...).
彼の無事な顔を見て安心した。
I felt relieved when I saw his safe face.
An interjection expressing relief, like 'phew' or 'oh, thank goodness'. Often used when a difficult situation ends. Can be used alone or with だ/です.
Expressing relief when a physical burden, pain, or discomfort is removed.
Works for physical relief as well, like after taking off tight shoes or finishing a hard workout.
靴を脱いでほっとした。
I felt relieved after taking off my shoes.
Means 'to become comfortable/easy'. Used when physical pain or strain is alleviated. Not exactly 'relieved' emotionally, but often used in similar situations.
薬を飲んだら少し楽になった。
I felt a bit better (relieved) after taking the medicine.
Expressing relief that a feared event did not occur.
Pattern: negative verb + なくて + ほっとする. Expresses relief that something didn't happen.
雨が降らなくてほっとした。
I was relieved that it didn't rain.
誰も気づかなくてほっとした。
I was relieved that nobody noticed.
Pattern: negative verb stem + ずに済んで + ほっとする. Means 'relieved that I got away without doing...' or 'relieved that something didn't happen (and it was a close call)'.
大事に至らずに済んでほっとした。
I was relieved that it didn't turn into a big deal.
Both mean 'feel relieved', but ほっとする is more about the physical sensation of relief (a sigh), while 安心する is more about mental peace of mind. ほっとする is often used for immediate, short-term relief, while 安心する can be used for a lasting state of reassurance. In many cases they are interchangeable.
Avoid directly translating 'relieved' as 救われる (sukuwareru) or 解放される (kaihō sareru) in most contexts. Those words mean 'to be saved/rescued' or 'to be liberated', and are not natural for everyday relief.
それを聞いてとてもほっとしました。
I was so relieved to hear that.
彼女は息子の笑顔を見て安心した。
She felt relieved when she saw her son's smile.
ああ、よかった！財布をなくしたかと思った。
What a relief! I thought I lost my wallet.
Using よかった (yokatta) is also a very common way to express relief.
やれやれ、やっと終わった。
Phew, it's finally over.