ばいい・
"If you do this, it will be fine": how you tell someone what would solve their problem. With のに on the end it is no longer advice. They could do it, and they don't.
advice
If you don't know, you can just ask at reception.
exasperated
If you don't know, why don't you just ask at reception?
ばいい
Verb in the ば-form + いい
聞けばいい. Polite いいです. "Just don't" is 聞かなければいい.
たらいい・といい
Verb in the た-form + ら + いい ／ dictionary form + といい
聞いたらいい, 聞くといい.
With のに
…ばいいのに ／ …たらいいのに
The sentence usually stops at のに.
Four that look alike
| After ば or たら | What it says |
|---|---|
| いい | Advice. 買えばいい: "you can just buy it". |
| いいのに | They could, and they don't. 買えば |
| What would follow, then のに | It isn't so. お金が |
| よかった | It is over, and you wish you had. 買えば |
ばいい: that is all it takes
ばいい says this one thing is enough. It is the answer to どうすればいいですか, and with よ it reassures: the fix is simple.
Where should I hand in this form?
You can just hand it in at reception on the second floor.
If you can't decide now, you can just wait until tomorrow.
If you don't want to give personal information, you can just leave that item blank.
Because it calls the answer simple, it can sound offhand. After そんなに…なら, with no よ, it is a brush-off. Unasked, to a teacher or a boss, it can sound like telling them what to do.
If you have that many complaints, do it yourself.
たらいい and といい
たらいい does the same job in conversation: "you could". といい recommends something that tends to go well: "it's a good idea to". Guidebooks and advice columns use it a lot.
If you're unsure, you could ask the teacher.
When you want to concentrate, it's a good idea to turn off notifications.
ばいいのに: they could, and they don't
のに adds "and yet". To someone's face, it is a reproach, fond or sharp. About someone who isn't there, it is a grumble. To a teacher or a boss's face it is not said.
If you have something to say, why don't you just say it?
If you're that cold, why don't you just put on a jacket?
I wish you'd talk to me instead of worrying about it alone.
In all three the thing can still be done. Once the chance has gone, it is ばよかったのに.
A wish
About something nobody chooses, like the weather or a price, the same words wish for what isn't so: "I wish".
I wish it were a bit cheaper.
Close neighbours
ばよかったN4
Your own regret, once it is over: "I should have".
I wish I had gone to bed earlier last night.
"If only": it isn't so, and you wish it were.
If I had the money, I'd buy a new car.
About something nobody can decide, といい is a hope, "I hope", for something that may well happen.
I hope it's sunny tomorrow.
たほうがいいN5
Says this choice is the better one. ばいい only says this will do.
If you have a fever, you should go to bed early today.
たらどうN4
The same idea put as a question: "why don't you…?"
If you have too much work, why don't you talk to your supervisor?
The question ばいい answers.
I've lost my key. What should I do?
Check yourself
1A friend looks worn out. You want to tell her a rest is all it takes, with no hint of blame. Which do you say?
Choose an answer to see why.
2The concert was last night, and your friend stayed at home. Which do you say to her?
Choose an answer to see why.
More sentences
If you don't know which counter to go to, you could ask at reception.
If you can't find the file, you can just search for it by name.
Before writing something long, it's a good idea to sort your main points into three.
You forgot the deadline again? Why don't you just put it on your calendar?
Why don't you just do it yourself instead of complaining all the time?
I wish those two would make up soon.