Genki Grammar #108: Mastering -bayokattadesu

Introduction

In this blog, we’ll learn how to use -ばよかったです (-bayokattadesu), which expresses regret or wishing that something had happened differently. It’s useful when you want to say “I should have done…” or “I wish I hadn’t done…” in Japanese.

What It Means

–ばよかったです is used to talk about an action you regret not doing or one you wish you had avoided.

• Affirmative Form: Verb (ば-form) + よかったです
  This means, “I wish I had done (something).”
  For example:
  • あの時、「愛している」と言えばよかったです。
    (Ano toki, “aishiteiru” to ieba yokatta desu.)
    I wish I had told her that I loved her.
• Negative Form: Verb (なければ-form) + よかったです
  This means, “I wish I hadn’t done (something).”
  For example:
  • 彼氏と別れなければよかったです。
    (Kareshi to wakarenakereba yokatta desu.)
    I should not have broken up with him.

When You Use It

Use -ばよかったです (-bayokattadesu) when you feel regret about a decision or when you want to express that a different action would have been better.

Examples

1. もっと早く家を出ればよかったです。
   (Motto hayaku ie o dereba yokatta desu.)
   I wish I had left home earlier.
2. そんなことを言わなければよかったです。
   (Sonna koto o iwanakereba yokatta desu.)
   I wish I hadn’t said that.
3. 試験の前にもっと勉強すればよかったです。
   (Shiken no mae ni motto benkyou sureba yokatta desu.)
   I should have studied more before the exam.

How to Form -ばよかったです

1. Affirmative Verbs: Drop the -u ending of the verb and add -eba:
   • 食べる (taberu) → 食べれば (tabereba)
   • 行く (iku) → 行けば (ikeba)
   • 待つ (matsu) → 待てば (mateba)
2. Negative Verbs: Drop the -い (i) and add -ければ (kereba):
   • 食べない (tabenai) → 食べなければ (tabenakereba)
   • 行かない (ikanai) → 行かなければ (ikanakereba)
   • しない (shinai) → しなければ (shinakereba)

Note

• This pattern is often used to show regret and is commonly seen in past tense situations.
• It is useful for expressing what you “should have done” or “shouldn’t have done.”

Conclusion

The -ばよかったです (-bayokattadesu) pattern is very practical for expressing regret or missed opportunities.

Recommended Resources

For a deeper understanding of -ばよかった (-bayokatta), I recommend “A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar.”The book provides a clear explanation of this structure under the entry -bayokatta, covering its meaning and usage to express regret or wishing something had been done differently. If you want to explore this grammar point in more detail and see more examples, this book is a great reference.