好在…
fortunately; luckily (the saving grace in a bad situation)
Structure
不好的情况 ， 好在 ＋ 有利的情况（，所以…）
What it means
Fortunately: introduces the one favourable fact that softens a bad situation already stated.
How it is built
Bad situation，好在 + favourable fact (，所以…): 雨下得很大，好在我带了伞 (it was pouring, but luckily I had brought an umbrella).
When to use it
Neutral; speech and writing. 幸亏 (lesson 1-25) stresses that luck kept something worse away, often with 才 or 不然; 好在 points to a consolation already there: 好在离家不远.
Watch out
It needs a misfortune before it: ✗ 好在今天天气不错，我们去公园吧. State the trouble first, then 好在.
Examples
路上堵了一个多小时，好在我们出门早，还是赶上了飞机。
We were stuck in traffic for over an hour; luckily we had left early and still made our flight.
老房子虽然破旧，好在结构还很结实，修一修还能住。
The old house is run-down, but fortunately the structure is sound, and with some repairs it can still be lived in.
雨下得很大，好在我带了伞。
It was pouring, but luckily I had brought an umbrella.
Learn this in Lesson 236 · HSK 9+: 敦煌 (Dunhuang: the Mogao Caves)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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