Thank goodness: Menos mal que
When you avoid a negative outcome, express your relief with the phrase menos mal que (thank goodness that / it's a good thing that).
Even though it expresses an emotional reaction, menos mal que is an exception to the usual Spanish rules: it is always followed by the indicative mood, never the subjunctive.
| Thank goodness that you have good reflexes. | Menos mal que tienes buenos reflejos. |
| Thank goodness that the passenger only has a minor scratch. | Menos mal que el pasajero solo tiene un rasguño leve. |
Fortunately: Afortunadamente
Another common way to express relief is with the adverb afortunadamente (fortunately). You can place it at the beginning or the end of a sentence.
| Fortunately, your reflexes are quick. | Afortunadamente, tus reflejos son rápidos. |
| The crash has been very minor, fortunately. | El choque ha sido muy leve, afortunadamente. |
Safe and sound
When talking about close calls like a slip (un resbalón) or a stumble (un tropiezo), you can reassure others that everyone is unharmed (ileso).
To say someone is "safe and sound," use the phrase sano y salvo. Since both words are adjectives, they must agree in gender and number with the people you are describing.
| The girls are unharmed and have arrived safe and sound. | Las chicas están ilesas y han llegado sanas y salvas. |
| Thank goodness that she is safe and sound after the stumble. | Menos mal que ella está sana y salva después del tropiezo. |
