Yatto is a Japanese word for ‘finally’, explained

What does “yatto” mean in Japanese?

Native speakers use yatto often to mean ‘finally’ in Japanese. Perhaps, some Japanese learners know this word as it is sometimes used in Japanese conversations. In this blog post, however, I’m explaining this word in detail together with example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners understand yatto more clearly. Then, let’s get started!

Contents

• Definition and meanings of “yatto”
  • How to say “finally” in Japanese
  • Another example of “yatto”
• Summary

Definition and meanings of “yatto”

Let me start with the definition and meanings of yatto.

• yatto – やっと : an adverb often used to mean ‘finally’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘eventually’, ‘at last’, or such in Japanese.

Japanese native speakers use this adverb when something is achieved after a long time. So, the usage is very similar to those of the English words written above.

The definition and meanings are not that difficult, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this adverb through the example sentences below.

How to say “finally” in Japanese

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• shigoto – 仕事 (しごと) : a noun meaning ‘work’ in Japanese.
• ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after shigoto to make the subject in the sentence.
• owari – 終わり (おわり) : one conjugation of the verb, owaru, which means ‘to end’ or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• mashi – まし : one conjugation of the auxiliary verb, masu, which is used after a verb to make it sound polite. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.
• ta – た : an auxiliary verb used after a verb, adjective, or auxiliary verb to make its past tense form. In the example, this is used after owari mashi to make its past tense form, owari mashi ta.

This is a typical usage of yatto. In this example, it works in the middle of the sentence to add the meaning of ‘finally’ in Japanese.

Another example of “yatto”

Below are the new words used in the example sentence.

• kanojo – 彼女 (かのじょ) : a pronoun meaning ‘she’ in Japanese.
• no – の : a case particle used after a noun or pronoun to make its possessive case. In the example, this is used after kanojo to make its possessive case, kanojo no, which means ‘her’ in Japanese.
• yume – 夢 (ゆめ) : a noun meaning a ‘dream’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
• kanat – 叶っ (かなっ) : one conjugation of the verb, kanau, which means ‘to come true’ or such in Japanese. In the example, it has been conjugated for the better connection with its following word.

This is another example of yatto. In this example, it works at the beginning of the sentence to add the meaning of ‘finally’ in Japanese. When we want to mean ‘finally’ in Japanese, anyway, this adverb is always a very good option.

Summay

In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meanings of yatto together with the example sentences. Let me summarize them as follows.

• yatto – やっと : an adverb often used to mean ‘finally’ in Japanese. Depending on the context and situation, this can also mean ‘eventually’, ‘at last’, or such in Japanese. Japanese native speakers use this adverb when something is achieved after a long time. So, the usage is very similar to those of the English words written above.

Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.