～ますように

When to use

ますように: a prayer or wish (合格しますように).

Explanation

The ～ますように grammar point is used to express a wish or hope. It is often used as a closing phrase in letters or messages, and can be applied to both oneself and others. The phrase is typically used with the ます form of the verb, with the final る replaced by ように.

• 明日あしたのテストで良よい点てんをとりますように。

  I hope I get good grades on tomorrow's test.

  Ashita no tesuto de ii ten wo torimasu you ni.

• 彼かれが無事ぶじに帰かえってきますように。

  I hope he comes back safely.

  Kare ga buji ni kaette kimasu you ni.

• みんなが健康けんこうでいられますように。

  I hope everyone stays healthy.

  Minna ga kenkou de iraremasu you ni.

• 彼女かのじょに幸しあわせになりますように。

  I hope she becomes happy.

  Kanojo ni shiawase ni narimasu you ni.

Wish And Hope (I Hope / If Only)

• ～さえ～ば〜sae ~baN2Expresses that, as long as a certain condition is met…
• ～ものなら〜mono naraN2Expresses a conditional wish or unlikely possibility; 'if…
• ～ば～のに〜ba 〜noniN3Expresses regret or dissatisfaction; 'if only', 'wish'.
• ～ば～ものを～ba～mono oN1Expresses regret or a missed opportunity: 'if only', 'had…
• ～といいなあ〜to ii naaN3Express a wish or hope; 'it would be nice if', 'I hope…
• ～ばよかった〜ba yokattaN3Express a sense of regret; 'I wish', 'it would have been…
• どうにか～ないものかdō ni ka ~ nai mono kaN2Express a strong desire or wish for something to be…
• Verb ないものだろうかVerb nai mono darou kaN1Expressing hope or wonder if something can be done: 'Isn't…

Compare when to use each