Japanese word

幸い

Pronunciation

Romajisaiwai

Meaning

  • na-adjectivelucky

Example

それは幸いです。so re wa saiwa i de su

That's lucky.

Illustration for 幸い (lucky)

More examples

忘れ物がすぐに見つかったのは幸いでした。wasu re mono ga su gu ni mi tsu ka tta no wa saiwa i de shi ta

It was fortunate that the lost item was found quickly.

Core concept

Describes a fortunate state in which events bring a welcome result.

Common phrases

  • 幸いなことにsaiwa i na ko to ni

    fortunately

  • 幸いにもsaiwa i ni mo

    fortunately

Similar words

ラッキーrakkī: Describes a fortunate situation in casual everyday language.

Definition in Japanese

運に恵まれ、望ましい結果になって喜ばしいさま。un ni megu ma re nozo ma shi i kek ka ni na tte yoroko ba shi i sa ma

Word origin

幸い (saiwai, "fortunate") is a native Japanese word historically linked to 幸う (saiwau, "to be fortunate"), and its form describes a state of good fortune.

Usage tips

  • 幸いです (saiwai desu, "that is fortunate") sounds more formal than ラッキー (rakkī, "lucky") in everyday conversation.

Opposites

Word lists with this word