menos mal

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thank goodness, what a relief
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/ˈmenos mal/
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Expresses relief that something turned out better than feared.
Practice using menos mal in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • Menos mal que trajiste las llaves.
    Thank goodness you brought the keys.
  • Menos mal que alguien nos avisó.
    Thank goodness someone warned us.
  • El niño está bien; menos mal.
    The child is fine; what a relief.
  • Menos mal que salimos temprano.
    It’s a good thing we left early.
  • Encontré el móvil; menos mal.
    I found my phone; what a relief.

Similar words

afortunadamente
por suerte

Meanings

What a relief

reactions
neutral
Said when a bad result was possible but did not happen or was avoided.

Examples

  • Menos mal que trajiste las llaves.
    Thank goodness you brought the keys.
  • El niño está bien; menos mal.
    The child is fine; what a relief.
  • Menos mal que salimos temprano.
    It’s a good thing we left early.
  • Encontré el móvil; menos mal.
    I found my phone; what a relief.
  • Menos mal que alguien nos avisó.
    Thank goodness someone warned us.

Similar words

por suerte
afortunadamente

Etymology

Fixed expression literally built from menos and mal, “less bad”.

FAQ

What does menos mal mean?

“Thank goodness” or “what a relief”.

When is it used?

When an outcome is better than you feared.

Can it stand alone?

Yes: Menos mal.

Can que follow it?

Yes: menos mal que trajiste las llaves.

Does it mean “less bad” literally?

Its literal words suggest that, but it works as a relief expression.

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