～ば～のに (if ~, if it would be ~)

• Other meanings: would have; should have; if only ~

• XばYのに expresses the speaker’s regret that X is not the case, because if X were realized, it would be Y (the desired result).

• Xばいいのに is a common set phrase used to express such regret when the speaker feels X is not and will not be realiz

• The sentence-ending particle なあ is often used with this structure when expressing the speaker’s wish

• XたらYのに also expresses the same sentiment

  • 私の寮の門限は11時だ。こんなにルールが厳しくなかったらいいのにと思う。

• When Y is in past tense, it expresses the speaker’s regret that Y (the desired result) would have happened if X had been true, or the speaker would have done Y if X had been true

Conjugation

Examples

このかばん、欲しいけど高いなあ。もっと安ければいいのに

I want this bag, but it’s pretty expensive. If only it were a bit cheaper..

もうちょっと早く来れば、大好きなアイドルが見えるのに。

If only I came a little earlier, I could have seen my favorite idol.