What does "meno male" mean?

Thank goodness — literally "less bad."

Language

🇮🇹 Italian

Say it

MEH-no MA-lay

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How it's actually used

The standard expression of relief. "Meno male che sei arrivato" means thank goodness you made it. Said alone it is a full sentence.

Examples

• Meno male che non piove. Thank goodness it's not raining.
• Meno male! What a relief!

More slang like this

• boh — I have no idea — a shrug in one syllable.
• magari — I wish! / maybe / if only.
• allora — So… / well then — the great Italian sentence-starter.
• dai — Come on! — encouragement, disbelief, or mild impatience.
• che palle — What a pain / so annoying.
• figo — Cool, awesome — or good-looking.

All Italian slang →