Can I use this pattern with past tense?

No. The phrase that comes directly before 「〜といい」 must be in the plain present (short) form, even when you are expressing a hope about a future event. You cannot use past tense forms like 〜た or 〜なかった directly before といい.

What’s the difference between といい and ほしい?

〜といい: Expresses a hope or wish for a situation or outcome to be favorable or to occur. It can be about events, states, or abilities (yours or others'). 〜がほしい: Expresses your desire to possess or have a noun (a thing). 〜てほしい: Expresses your desire for someone else to perform an action for you.

What is the difference between 「〜といい」 and 「〜たらいい」(V-たform + ra + ii)?

Both can express a sense of "it would be good if ~" or sometimes even recommendations ("you should ~"). However: 〜といい: More directly expresses a hope or wish for a certain outcome or situation. 明日あした、晴はれるといいんですが。I hope it’ll be sunny tomorrow. 〜たらいい: Acts as a conditional expression meaning "if X happens, it would be good" or "doing X would be good." It is sometimes used for making recommendations ("You should/had better do X") or suggesting a hypothetical positive outcome. 明日、晴れたらいいんですが。

How do I say "I hope that [something] doesn't happen" using this pattern?

To express a hope that something doesn't happen or isn't in a certain state, use the plain present negative (short form) before 「〜といい」. Example (Verb Negative): 雨が降らないといいですね。(Ame ga furanai to ii desu ne.) = I hope it doesn't rain. Example (い-Adj Negative): 難しくないといいんですが。(Muzukashikunai to ii n desu ga.) = I hope it isn't difficult.

How to Say “I Hope That” in Japanese | Using plain form + to ii（〜といい）

contents

Introduction
1. Grammar Structure
2. How It Works
- When hoping for someone else
- When hoping for yourself
3. Important Notes
- verbs in potential forms + いいんですが
- な-adjectives and nouns
4. Example Sentences
5. Practice Time!
6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
7. Conclusion
- Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?

Introduction

Do you ever want to say things like:

“I hope I’ll pass the test.”
“I hope it’s sunny tomorrow.”
“I hope you get a good job.”

In Japanese, we use this form to express hope or wishes for the future:

👉 (Plain present) + といい（ですね／んですが）
= “I hope that…”

This simple but powerful pattern helps you express your desires for yourself or someone else — politely and naturally.

1. Grammar Structure

Pattern: Plain present (short form) + といい（ですね／んですが）

Use Case	Structure	Example	Meaning
Hope for someone else	V/Adj/N + といいですね	試験しけんに合格ごうかくするといいですね。	I hope you pass the test.
Express your wish for your own luck	V/Adj/N + といいんですが	日本にほんにいきます。飛行機ひこうきが安やすいといいんですが。	I am going to Japan. I hope that the flight is going to be cheap.

✨ Key Point:

Use といいですね for others.
Use といいんですが for yourself (sounds more modest).

2. How It Works

Let’s look at a few examples to understand how this form is used in real situations.

When hoping for someone else

「〜ですね」: Often used when hoping for others, adding a friendly or sympathetic tone. Can also be used when hoping for something and seeking the listener’s agreement or sharing the hope.

Koki

来月らいげつ、転職てんしょくします。
I’m changing jobs next month.

Saori

さみしいです。いい仕事しごとが見みつかるといいですね。
I’ll miss you. I hope you find a good job.

Ken

明日あした、ソフトボールの試合しあいがあります。
There is a softball game tomorrow.

Yumi

試合しあいがうまくいくといいですね。
I hope your game goes well.

When hoping for yourself

「〜んですが」: Used for oneself, adding a softer, more modest, or slightly hesitant/worried tone. It implies “I hope, but…” suggesting there might be uncertainty or a slight concern. It comes from んです + が.

Koki

週末しゅうまつは何なにをしますか。
What are you going to do this weekend?

Saori

友ともだちと公園こうえんでテニスをするつもりです。
I’m planning to play tennis in the park with a friend.

Saori

晴はれるといいんですが。
I hope it’ll be sunny.

Ken

夏休なつやすみの予定よていはありますか。
Do you have any plans for the summer vacation?

Yumi

YOASOBIのコンサートにいきたいです。
I want to go to a YOASOBI concert.

Yumi

チケットが当あたるといいんですが。
I hope I can get tickets.

3. Important Notes

verbs in potential forms + いいんですが

When you want to express that you hope you can do something, use the verb in potential forms.

Example: I hope that I can go to Japan next year. (You are busy at work and have a hard time taking time off)

❌ 日本にほんに行いくといいんですが。
✅ 日本に行けるといいんですが。

な-adjectives and nouns

When using な-adjectives and nouns with といい, you need to add だ.

Example: I hope it’s going to be sunny. (You are going on a trip next week)

❌ 晴はれといいんですが。
✅ 晴れだといいんですが。

4. Example Sentences

Japanese	English
早はやく良よくなるといいですね。	I hope you feel better soon.
次つぎのJLPTが簡単かんたんだといいんですが。	I hope my next JLPT is going to be easy.
明日あした、雨あめじゃないといいですね。	I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow.
八時はちじのバスに乗のれるといいんですが。	I hope that I can catch the bus at 8 o’clock.

5. Practice Time!

Try using this pattern with your own hopes or wishes:

ボーナスがもらえる＿＿＿＿＿。
I hope I get a bonus.
今日きょう、彼女かのじょがやさしい＿＿＿＿＿。
I hope my girlfriend is nice to me today.

(Hint: Use 「といいですね」 or 「といいんですが」 depending on who you’re talking about.)

6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q Can I use this pattern with past tense?: A
No. The phrase that comes directly before 「〜といい」 must be in the plain present (short) form, even when you are expressing a hope about a future event. You cannot use past tense forms like 〜た or 〜なかった directly before といい.

Q What’s the difference between といい and ほしい?: A
〜といい: Expresses a hope or wish for a situation or outcome to be favorable or to occur. It can be about events, states, or abilities (yours or others’).
〜がほしい: Expresses your desire to possess or have a noun (a thing).
〜てほしい: Expresses your desire for someone else to perform an action for you.

Q What is the difference between 「〜といい」 and 「〜たらいい」(V-たform + ra + ii)?: A
Both can express a sense of “it would be good if ~” or sometimes even recommendations (“you should ~”). However:
〜といい: More directly expresses a hope or wish for a certain outcome or situation.
明日あした、晴はれるといいんですが。I hope it’ll be sunny tomorrow.
〜たらいい: Acts as a conditional expression meaning “if X happens, it would be good” or “doing X would be good.” It is sometimes used for making recommendations (“You should/had better do X”) or suggesting a hypothetical positive outcome.
明日、晴れたらいいんですが。

Q How do I say “I hope that [something] doesn’t happen” using this pattern?: A
To express a hope that something doesn’t happen or isn’t in a certain state, use the plain present negative (short form) before 「〜といい」.
Example (Verb Negative): 雨が降らないといいですね。(Ame ga furanai to ii desu ne.) = I hope it doesn’t rain.
Example (い-Adj Negative): 難しくないといいんですが。(Muzukashikunai to ii n desu ga.) = I hope it isn’t difficult.

7. Conclusion

The structure (plain present) + といい is a handy way to express your wishes or hopes in everyday Japanese. Just remember:

といいですね → wish for someone else
といいんですが → hope for yourself

Start using this pattern when you want to cheer someone on or quietly hope for something better — it’s one of the most heartfelt expressions in Japanese!

Want to improve your Japanese with real conversations?

Our native Japanese instructors at gokigen japanese can help you perfect your pronunciation and learn real-life usage.

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