といい
I hope, I wish, You should, It would be good
Structure
[い]Adjective + と + いい
[な]Adjective + だ + と + いい
Noun + だ + と + いい
Wishing for others:
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + といい + ね
Wishing for oneself:
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + といい + なぁ
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + といい+んだ(1) + けど(2)
(1) のだ
(2) けれど、けども、けれども、が
Explanation
The particle と, when used to convey 'if', indicates that the outcome is a natural or certain result. By pairing it with the い-Adjective いい, it creates the meaning 'it would be good if (A)'.
This grammar pattern can attach to the end of any phrase, as long as the final word is in its plain form.
- 今夜は料理したくないな~、外食するといいな。I don't feel like cooking tonight. It'd be nice if we ate out.
- 明日の旅行は楽しいといいね!I hope your trip tomorrow is a lot of fun!
- 天気予報が本当だといいね!I really hope the weather forecast is right!
- 「次の誕生日プレゼントはゲームだといいな~」と息子が言っていました。My son was saying, 'I hope my next birthday present is a video game'.
Due to the nuance of certainty that と provides, this grammar pattern expresses a strong desire. Consequently, といい is often more naturally translated as 'I hope (A)' or 'I wish (A)'.
This structure can be used to express a wish for yourself or for another person. The sentence-ending particle typically clarifies this distinction: な or んだけど is used for one's own hopes, while ね is used when wishing for others or sharing a wish.
- バスで席に座れるといいな。I hope I can get a seat on the bus. (Hoping for your own benefit)
- 試験に合格するといいんだけど、全然勉強していないから無理かも。I'd love to pass the exam, but since I haven't studied at all, it might be impossible. (Hoping for your own benefit)
- 新しい仕事がうまく行くといいね。I hope your new job goes well for you. (Hoping for another's benefit)
Caution
Finishing this pattern with conjunctions like けど, けれども, or が adds a nuance that some circumstances may prevent the speaker's wish from coming true.
- あの店がまだ開いているといいんだけど。(もう遅いから閉まっているかもしれない)I hope that shop is still open. (But it's already late, so it might be closed)
- 給料が上がるといいんだが。(会社の業績が悪いから難しいだろう)It would be nice to get a raise. (But since the company's performance is bad, it's probably unlikely)
Examples
試験に合格するといいですね。
I hope you pass the exam.
健康のために、毎日運動するといいです。
You should exercise every day for your health.
この料理、美味しいといいんですが。
I hope this dish is delicious.
いつか夢が叶うといい。
I hope my dream comes true someday.
早く病気が治るといいね。
I hope you get well soon.
週末はピクニックだから、雨が降らないといいね。
We're having a picnic this weekend, so I hope it doesn't rain.
急ごう!終電に間に合うといいね。
Let's hurry! I hope we can make the last train.
今度のホテルは静かだといいなぁ。
I hope the next hotel is quiet.
分からないことがあったら、先生に聞くといい。
If there's something you don't understand, you should ask the teacher.
卒業しても、またみんなで会えるといいね。
I hope we can all meet again even after we graduate.
まだ時間はあるから、あのお店が開いているといいね。
There's still time, so I hope that store is still open.
旅行の日、晴れだといいのだが。
I really hope it's clear on the day of our trip.