Grammar Info
N4 Lesson 4: 7/18

といい
I hope, I wish, You should, It would be good

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb + + いい
[い]Adjective + + いい
[な]Adjective + + + いい
Noun + + と + いい


Wishing for others:
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + いい +

Wishing for oneself:
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + いい + なぁ
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + いい+んだ(1) + けど(2)

(1) のだ
(2) けれどけどもけれども
Verb + + いい + です
[い]Adjective + + いい + です
[な]Adjective + + + いい + です
Noun + + + いい + です


Wishing for others:
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + いい + です +

Wishing for oneself:
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + いい + です+なぁ
(Desired Outcome) Phrase + いい+んです(1) + けど(2)

(1) のです
(2) けれどけどもけれども
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
One of the regular uses of the particle is to express ‘if’. However, unlike some other structures (like なら, たら, and ), implies that the ‘if’ result of is something that will definitely happen, or is a natural consequence of (A) happening. When combined with the い-Adjective いい, it means ‘if (A), it would be good’.
This construction may be used with any phrase ending in a word in its 普通形(ふつうけい) (non-polite) form.
  • 明日(あした)学校(がっこう)に行(い)きたくないな~、雪(ゆき)降(ふ)といいな。
    I don't want to go to school tomorrow. It would be great if it snows.
  • 今夜(こんや)パーティー楽(たの)しといい
    I hope your party tonight is fun! (Hoping for someone else’s sake)
  • 先輩(せんぱい)言(い)っていること本当(ほんとう)だといい
    If what senpai is saying is true, it would be good!
  • 「今夜(こんや)夕食(ゆうしょく)は魚(さかな)だといいな~」と弟(おとうと)言(い)っていました。
    My little brother was saying ‘I hope dinner tonight is fish’.
Because expresses a ‘certain’ outcome, the ‘good’ in this grammar construction often sounds quite strong, leading to といい regularly being translated closer to ‘I hope (A)’, or ‘I wish (A)’.
There are several situations in which this grammar point can be used to express that you are hoping something for yourself, or hoping something for someone else. This is primarily determined by the use of な, or だけど (hoping for yourself), or (hoping for others/mutual benefit).
  • 明日(あした)晴(は)れるといいな。
    I hope it clears up tomorrow. (Hoping for your own benefit)
  • 明日(あした)試合(しあい)勝(か)つといいだけど相手(あいて)強(つよ)いから自信(じしん)がない
    I hope to win the tournament tomorrow, but since my opponent is formidable, I am not confident. (Hoping for your own benefit)
  • 来週(らいしゅう)彼氏(かれし)来(く)るといい
    I hope your boyfriend comes next week. (Hoping for another’s benefit)
Caution
When this expression finishes with けど, けれども, or , it can imply that there are some external factors that will make the desired result difficult to achieve.
  • 明日(あした)の朝(あさ)に荷物(にもつ)が届(とど)くといいだけど。(今夜(こんや)から雪(ゆき)が降(ふ)るから配達(はいたつ)が大変(たいへん)そう)
    I hope my package arrives tomorrow morning. (However, it is going to start snowing tonight, so delivery seems like an issue)
  • 宝(たから)くじに当(あ)たるといいんだが。(一枚(いちまい)しか買(か)っていないから当(あ)たらないと思(おも)う)
    I hope I win the lottery. (But since I only bought one ticket, I don't think I will)
Slow Male
Hide All
Hide Japanese
Hide English
試合(しあい)勝(か)つといいです
I hope that you can win the game.
あなたもっと果物(くだもの)食(た)べるといいです
You should eat more fruit.
Play  
楽(たの)しいといいんですが
I hope it is fun.
Play  
Books
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 77
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 103