～ばよかった
Regret that you did not make a better choice
You'll be able to look back and say that a different action would have been better.
もっと厚い上着を着てくればよかったです。
motto atsui uwagi o kite kureba yokatta desu.
What do you think this sentence means?
I should have worn a thicker jacket.
Regret a choice in the past
～ばよかった says a different past choice would have been better. A positive form regrets not doing something; a negative form regrets having done it.
もっと勉強すればよかったです。
motto benkyou sureba yokatta desu.
I should have studied more.
Form and use ～ばよかった
持ってくればよかった means “I should have brought it.” 行かなければよかった means “I wish I had not gone.” This is counterfactual regret, not relief about the actual outcome.
もっと勉強すればよかったです。
motto benkyou sureba yokatta desu.
I should have studied more.
あの店に行かなければよかったです。
ano mise ni ikanakereba yokatta desu.
I wish I had not gone to that shop.
もっと早く家を出ればよかった。電車に間に合いませんでした。
motto hayaku ie o dereba yokatta. densha ni maniaimasen deshita.
I should have left home earlier. I missed the train.
あの店で買えばよかったです。ここは高いですね。
ano mise de kaeba yokatta desu. koko wa takai desu ne.
I should have bought it at that other shop. It's expensive here, isn't it?
こんなに混むなら、予約すればよかった。
konna ni komu nara, yoyaku sureba yokatta.
If it was going to be this crowded, I should have made a reservation.
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