といい
JLPT Level: N4
Meanings
I hope that...
I wish that...
It would be good if...
You should… (soft suggestion expressing a wish or better option)
Usage
Verb (dictionary form) + といい
い-adjective + といい
な-adjective (plain) + だ + といい
Noun + だ + といい
Explanation
といい is used to express soft hopes or wishes about a future situation, or to suggest that a certain outcome would be good. It can convey personal hope for yourself or for someone else, and it can also be used as a gentle way of saying what would be best or preferable. The clause before といい is in plain form (dictionary form for verbs, い-adjectives in their base form, and na-adjectives or nouns with だ in their plain form). It does not state a fact; rather, it expresses a wish or suggestion about a possible outcome.
Notes:
- The meaning is nuanced and softer than a direct command or strong recommendation.
- For na-adjectives and nouns, use the plain form + といい (e.g., 静かだといい). For verbs, use the dictionary form (e.g., 行くといい).
- You can add ね or かな at the end in conversation: 静かだといいね。/ 明日雨が降らないといいかな。
雨が降らないといいね。
あめがふらないといいね。
I hope it doesn't rain.
明日が晴れるといい。
あしたがはれるといい。
I hope tomorrow will be sunny.
健康だといい。
けんこうだといい。
I hope you are healthy.
早く寝るといいですよ。
はやくねるといいですよ。
It's good to go to bed early.
遅刻しないといいですね。
ちこくしないといいですね。
I hope you won't be late.