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Proverbs

Japanese meaning of 終わりよければすべてよし

おわりよければすべてよし (Owari yokereba subete yoshi)

English Translation:

If the end is good, all is good / All's well that ends well

Scene:

Meaning & Cultural Context

Meaning:

Even if there were problems along the way, everything is fine as long as the result is good.
日本語で読む
途中でいろいろあっても、最後の結果がよければそれでよいという意味。

Cultural Context:

It is often used to look back on something that ended well despite trouble, sometimes a little jokingly.
日本語で読む
途中でトラブルがあっても、うまく終わったことをふり返るときに使い、少しおどけて言うこともあります。

Grammar & Learning Points

Grammar Point

•「よければ」= if it is good (conditional of よい). •「すべて」= everything. •「よし」= old form of よい.
日本語で読む
•「よければ」は「よい」の仮定の形。•「すべて」は全部。•「よし」は「よい」の古い言い方。

Trap for English Speakers

It does not mean the process never matters; it is mostly said afterward, once things have turned out well.
日本語で読む
途中はどうでもよいという意味ではなく、うまく終わったあとで言うことが多い言葉です。

Example

Example 1Basic Example

  1. 道に迷って遅れたけど、ライブは最高だった。終わりよければすべてよしだね。

    We got lost and arrived late, but the concert was amazing. All's well that ends well.

Example 2Applied Example

  1. 見つかりかけ、池に落ちてずぶぬれになったが、密書は無事に届いた。終わりよければすべてよし。

    He was almost spotted and fell into a pond, but the secret letter arrived safely. All's well that ends well.

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Quick check

Meaning

What does 「終わりよければすべてよし」 mean?

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