Easy Korean Level 4 - Unit 21: I hope / I wish / -(으)면 좋겠다

In this lesson, we will learn how to express a wish, a hope, or a desire using the structure: -(으)면 좋겠다

Literally translated, it means "If (it happens), it would be good." We use it to say "I hope..." or "I wish..."

Conjugation Rules

You can attach this to the present tense stem or the past tense stem of a verb/adjective. (Using the past tense stem adds a stronger feeling of wishing for something that hasn't happened yet, but both are very common!)

1. With Present Tense Stem: -(으)면 좋겠다

• 비가 안 오다 -> 안 오면 좋겠어요. (I hope it doesn't rain.)
• 한국어를 잘 하다 -> 잘 하면 좋겠어요. (I wish I spoke Korean well.)
• 싸다 -> 싸면 좋겠어요. (I hope it's cheap.)

2. With Past Tense Stem: -았/었/였으면 좋겠다

(This is slightly more common and natural in everyday conversation for strong wishes!) - 비가 안 오다 -> 안 왔으면 좋겠어요. (I wish it wouldn't rain. / I hope it doesn't rain.) - 한국어를 잘 하다 -> 잘 했으면 좋겠어요. (I wish I spoke Korean well.) - 싸다 -> 쌌으면 좋겠어요. (I hope it's cheap.)

Examples

1. 빨리 끝나다 (to finish quickly)
2. 일이 빨리 끝났으면 좋겠어요.

3. I hope work finishes quickly.

4. 합격하다 (to pass an exam)

5. 내일 시험에 합격했으면 좋겠어요.

6. I hope I pass the exam tomorrow.

7. 시간이 많다 (to have a lot of time)

8. 시간이 더 많았으면 좋겠어요.
9. I wish I had more time.

Asking Someone Else's Wish

You can also ask someone what they hope for! - 무슨 선물을 받았으면 좋겠어요? (What present do you hope to get?)