Kotoba no Hibiki

It could have been worse.

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A: Guess what. I fell down the stairs yesterday!
B: Oh, really? Are you OK?
A: I broke my leg, so I’ll have to cancel my trip…
B: Too bad, but it could have been worse. I’m glad you didn’t hit your head the wrong way.

In this situation, what should you say “it could have been worse” in Japanese?

Casual

B：それくらいで済すんでよかったじゃない

Note: This is not a word-for-word translation.

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A word-for-word translation

B：もっとひどいことになっていたかもしれない。

This could also be used, but the following phrases are more natural.

足あしだけで済すんでよかったですね

It’s better that you only broke your leg (than that you hit your head the wrong way).

不幸中ふこうちゅうの幸さいわいでしたね

Literal translation: Happiness in misfortune.
It means that breaking your leg is bad luck, but you’re lucky you didn’t hit your head the wrong way, even though you fell down the stairs.