やっと (yatto)

Meaning & usage

やっと is an adverb expressing relief that something long awaited has finally happened, or that something difficult was barely accomplished. It does not conjugate and is placed before a verb phrase such as やっと終わった, and also appears in patterns like やっとのことで渡る and のがやっとだ to stress limited ability. It is neutral for speech and writing, but it implies eager expectation, so it is not used for neutral or unwelcome outcomes.

Example sentences 3

1. やっと、自分じぶんがやりたいことができる。

   I can finally do the things that I want to do myself.

2. 私は当時生きていくのがやっとだった。

   I kept body and soul together at that time.

3. 私達はやっとのことでその川を泳いで渡ることができた。

   We managed to swim across the river.