Menos mal / menos mal que to express relief

To express that we are relieved about something we often use "menos mal". It can be used as a standalone expression or followed by que and the indicative.

¡Menos mal!

As a stand alone expression, we generally use it after a statement by someone else, showing relief about what is said in that statement. For example:

Someone says:

Al final no habrá huelga de transporte esta semana.
In the end there won't be a transport strike this week.

I can express my relief by saying:

¡Menos mal!Thank goodness!

More examples as a standalone expression:

No te preocupes, no se ha roto ningún hueso en la caída.
Don't worry, he hasn't broken any bones when he fell.

¡Menos mal!Thank goodness!

¡He encontrado el anillo de oro que había perdido!
I found the gold ring I had lost!

¡Menos mal!Thank goodness!
 

Menos mal que...

Menos mal is also often used in a sentence, followed by "que" and any tense in the indicative, again, expressing relief but this time what you feel relieved about is said after "que...". For example:

Menos mal que has encontrado tu anillo.Thank goodness you found your ring.

Menos mal que la semana que viene tengo dos días libres. Necesito unas vacaciones.It's a good thing I have two days off next week. I need a vacation.

Menos mal que traje el paraguas, porque si no, estaríamos empapados ahora mismo.It's just as well I brought the umbrella, otherwise we'd be soaking wet by now.

Menos mal que el concierto será gratis.It's a good thing that the concert will be free.

Menos mal que la lavadora ya funciona.Thank God the washing machine is working again.

Remember to always use the indicative with "menos mal que..." 

This would be incorrect: 

Menos mal que la lavadora ya funcione.
Menos mal que el concierto sea gratis.

 

 

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Examples and resources

Menos mal que has encontrado tu anillo.Thank goodness you found your ring.
¡Menos mal!Thank goodness!
Menos mal que traje el paraguas, porque si no, estaríamos empapados ahora mismo.It's just as well I brought the umbrella, otherwise we'd be soaking wet by now.
Menos mal que el concierto será gratis.It's a good thing that the concert will be free.
Menos mal que la semana que viene tengo dos días libres. Necesito unas vacaciones.It's a good thing I have two days off next week. I need a vacation.
Menos mal que la lavadora ya funciona.Thank God the washing machine is working again.
I'll be right with you...