synonym Comparative
ぎりぎり
VS
ようやく
Differences Between "ぎりぎり" and "ようやく"
Option A
ぎりぎり
Meaning
just barely; at the last minute; on the verge of
Reading
ぎりぎり (girigiri)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
ぎりぎりで電車に間に合った。
I just barely made it to the train.
Option B
ようやく
Meaning
finally, at last, barely
Reading
ようやく (yōyaku)
Syllabus Level
N2
Practical Example
長い議論の末、ようやく意見がまとまった。
After a long discussion, we finally reached an agreement.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(just barely; at the last minute; on the verge of)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- ぎりぎり: Expresses a situation where something is just barely achieved or happens right at the last possible moment. It implies a narrow margin.
- ようやく: Implies that something took a long time or effort to achieve, but it has now happened. It conveys a sense of relief after a delay or difficulty. Can also mean 'barely' or 'with great difficulty' in some contexts.
- ぎりぎり: Expresses a situation where something is just barely achieved or happens right at the last possible moment. It implies a narrow margin.
- ようやく: Implies that something took a long time or effort to achieve, but it has now happened. It conveys a sense of relief after a delay or difficulty. Can also mean 'barely' or 'with great difficulty' in some contexts.
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