Topic N3
Japanese Learning
5. ば～のに : If only... / I wish....
✏️Structure
Verb conditional + (いい/よかった/できた) + のに💡Usage
Expresses regret about a reality that did not happen as expected. Often ends with "のに" left hanging, implying complaint or regret.
📚Examples
この車が欲しいなあ。もっとお金があれば買えるのに。
Kono kuruma ga hoshii naa. Motto okane ga areba kaeru noni.
I really want this car. If only I had more money, I could buy it.
パーティーは寂しいよ。君がここにいれば楽しいのに。
Paatii wa sabishii yo. Kimi ga koko ni ireba tanoshii noni.
The party is lonely. It would be fun if you were here.
ピクニックが中止になった。雨が降らなければみんなで行けるのに。
Pikunikku ga chuushi ni natta. Ame ga furanakereba minna de ikeru noni.
The picnic was cancelled. If only it weren't raining, we could all go together.
デザインはいいけど、もう少し安ければすぐ買うのに。
Dezain wa ii kedo, mou sukoshi yasukereba sugu kau noni.
The design is nice, but if it were a little cheaper, I would buy it immediately.
仕事が全然終わらない。時間があれば君を存分に手伝いに行けるのに。
Shigoto ga zenzen owaranai. Jikan ga areba kimi wo zonbun ni tetsudai ni ikeru noni.
I can't finish my work at all. If I had time, I could go and help you fully.
材料は揃っているから、彼が来ればすぐに始められるのに。
Zairyou wa sorotteiru kara, kare ga kureba sugu ni hajimerareru noni.
We have all the ingredients, so if he were here, we could start right away.
バスケ部に勧誘されたけど、もっと身長が高ければ入部できたのに。
Basukebu ni kan'yuu sareta kedo, motto shinchou ga takakereba nyuubu dekita noni.
I was invited to the basketball club; if only I were taller, I could have joined.
試験の答えがわかれば君にこっそり教えてあげるのに。
Shiken no kotae ga wakareba kimi ni kossori oshiete ageru noni.
If I knew the answers to the exam, I would secretly tell you.
明日が月曜日なんて嫌だ。今日が日曜日ならいいのに。
Ashita ga getsuyoubi nante iya da. Kyou ga nichiyoubi nara ii noni.
I hate that tomorrow is Monday. I wish today were Sunday.
最近忙しくてなかなか会えないね。家が近ければ毎日会えるのに。
Saikin isogashikute nakanaka aenai ne. Ie ga chikakereba mainichi aeru noni.
We're so busy lately that we can't meet much. If our houses were closer, we could see each other every day.