Beginner Estimated read: 3 mins

-았/었으면 좋겠다

Used to express one's wish, hope, or desire that something state or action occurs/occurred. Translates literally to 'It would be good if... had happened/happens'.

Summary

Equivalent

I hope / It would be nice if...

Also: -(으)면 좋겠다 (It would be nice if... - slightly less eager)

Example

I hope it doesn't rain this weekend.

이번 주말에 비가 안 왔으면 좋겠어요.

Grammar rules

  • Conjugate as if making the past tense (았/었/했) and attach '으면 좋겠다'.
  • Even though it uses the past tense form, it is used to express wishes about the present or future with a stronger feeling of desire than just '-(으)면 좋겠다'.
  • Unlike '-고 싶다', which only works with verbs, '-았/었으면 좋겠다' can be used with adjectives to wish for a certain state.

    내일 날씨가 좋았으면 좋겠어요. (I hope the weather is good tomorrow.)

Patterns

1

Verbs/Adjectives with 'ㅏ' or 'ㅗ'

Hypothetical Past · Stem + 았으면 좋겠다

2

Verbs/Adjectives with other vowels

Hypothetical Past · Stem + 었으면 좋겠다

3

하다 Verbs

Hypothetical Past · 했으면 좋겠다

Example sentences

Verbs/Adjectives with 'ㅏ' or 'ㅗ' · Hypothetical Past · Stem + 았으면 좋겠다

I hope it doesn't rain this weekend.

이번 주말에 비가 안 왔으면 좋겠어요.

하다 Verbs · Hypothetical Past · 했으면 좋겠다

I wish the vacation would start soon.

빨리 방학을 했으면 좋겠습니다.

하다 Verbs · Hypothetical Past · 했으면 좋겠다

I hope my friend passes that exam.

제 친구가 그 시험에 합격했으면 좋겠어요.

Conversation

A: What do you want to receive for your birthday present?

생일 선물로 뭘 받고 싶어요?

B: I wish I could receive a new bicycle.

새 자전거를 받으면 좋겠어요.

Practice

Fill in the blank

Select the correct form to express a wish or hope.

Salary.

Healing.