Meaning and Usage
"やっと" is an adverb used to express that something has happened after a long wait, difficulty, or effort. It often conveys relief or satisfaction that a desired outcome has finally been achieved.
Nuance
It can mean "at last," "finally," or "barely" depending on context. When used alone, it emphasizes the end of a struggle or delay. Sometimes it implies that the result was hard to get or took a lot of time.
Common Collocations
- やっと終わる (finally finish): used when completing a task after effort.
- やっと来る (finally come/arrive): used for something or someone arriving after waiting.
- やっとのことで (barely managing to): emphasizes difficulty in achieving something.
Register and Politeness
"やっと" is neutral and common in everyday conversation. It is informal but polite enough for most casual and semi-formal situations.
Learner Tips
Learners sometimes confuse "やっと" with "とうとう" which also means "finally" but often implies inevitability or a negative outcome. "やっと" usually has a positive or relieved feeling. Use "やっと" when you want to highlight the effort or waiting before success.