Translation guide
How to express that something good happened by chance or luck, or that a situation turned out well.
Express that a positive outcome occurred by chance or luck, often at the start of a sentence.
A common, neutral way to say 'fortunately' or 'luckily'. Used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a fortunate event.
幸いなことに、天気が良かった。
Fortunately, the weather was good.
Fortunately, he was safe.
Literally 'with good luck'. Emphasizes the role of luck. Slightly more casual than 幸いなことに.
運良く、電車に間に合った。
Fortunately, I caught the train.
A casual, loanword-based expression. Common in spoken Japanese, especially among younger people.
ラッキーなことに、財布が見つかった。
Luckily, I found my wallet.
Express relief or gratitude that something turned out well, often implying a worse outcome was possible.
Conveys a sense of gratitude. 'Thankfully' or 'I'm grateful that...'. Slightly more emotional than 幸いなことに.
ありがたいことに、みんな無事だった。
Thankfully, everyone was safe.
Literally 'more than anything'. Used to emphasize that the most important thing is good. Often translated as 'fortunately' or 'thankfully' in context.
何より、けががなくて良かった。
Fortunately, no one was hurt.
Describe a coincidence or chance occurrence that led to a good result, often with a nuance of 'it turned out that...'
Means 'by chance' or 'coincidentally'. Can be used for both good and bad luck, but context makes it 'fortunately'.
たまたま通りかかった人が助けてくれた。
Fortunately, a passerby helped me.
More formal than たまたま. Emphasizes the coincidence. 'By coincidence' or 'as it happened'.
偶然にも、彼と同じホテルに泊まっていた。
As luck would have it, I was staying at the same hotel as him.
Express that a situation is favorable, often in a casual, conversational way.
Attach to the te-form of a verb or adjective to say 'I'm glad that...' or 'It's good that...'. Very common in speech.
傘を持ってきて良かった。
Fortunately, I brought an umbrella. / Good thing I brought an umbrella.
早く出て良かった。
It's a good thing we left early.
幸いなことに focuses on the fortunate outcome itself, while ありがたいことに adds a nuance of personal gratitude. Use ありがたいことに when you feel thankful to someone or something.
幸いなことに、試験に合格した。
Fortunately, I passed the exam.
ありがたいことに、先生が助けてくれた。
Thankfully, the teacher helped me.
There is no single Japanese adverb that covers all uses of 'fortunately'. Translating it as 幸運にも (こううんにも) is possible but sounds stiff and literary. In most cases, use the phrases above depending on the nuance.
幸いなことに、店はまだ開いていた。
Fortunately, the store was still open.
運良く、少しお金を持っていた。
Fortunately, I had some money with me.
ありがたいことに、誰もけがをしなかった。
Fortunately, nobody was injured.