Translation guide
Expressions of relief, gratitude, or thankfulness directed at a higher power or fate. In Japanese, this is often expressed through set phrases, exclamations, or humble expressions of relief rather than a direct translation.
The speaker is relieved that something good happened or something bad didn't happen.
The most common and natural way to express relief. Literally 'it was good', used in everyday conversation.
ああ、よかった。無事で。
Oh, thank God you're safe.
試験に合格した。よかった！
I passed the exam. Thank God!
Literally 'I was saved/helped'. Used when someone's help or a fortunate event saved you from trouble.
君が来てくれて本当に助かった。
Thank God you came. You really saved me.
Means 'I'm relieved'. A straightforward expression of relief, slightly more formal than よかった.
無事だと聞いて安心した。
I was relieved to hear you were safe. (Thank God!)
Expressing gratitude to God, gods, or fate for a positive outcome.
Directly thanks God. Used by religious people or in situations where one feels blessed.
神様に感謝します。
Thank God.
A humble expression meaning 'thanks to you/God/fate'. Often used in set phrases to express gratitude for a positive outcome without specifying the source.
おかげさまで、元気になりました。
Thank God, I've recovered. (lit. Thanks to you/God, I got better.)
Means 'grateful' or 'thankful'. Can be used in exclamations to express thankfulness to a higher power or fate.
There is no direct equivalent of 'thank God' as an interjection in Japanese. Using 神に感謝 (かみにかんしゃ) sounds unnatural in casual speech. Use よかった or 助かった for everyday relief.
神に感謝します。
I thank God. (sounds overly religious/formal)
本当にありがたいことです。
I'm truly grateful. (Thank God.)