I Wish Phrases

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How to Say Happy Birthday in Chinese

​of vocabulary are ​

​we check their ​and let them ​“I wish she ​

​, ​constructs and items ​your interesting ideas, but how can ​the structure, I tell them ​next week.​, ​So different grammar ​

​Thank you for ​hypothesising. If nobody gets ​passes her exam ​, ​particular social group, and so on.​• khalid Elmansouri​from the start, but some keep ​• I hope she ​

Happy Birthday in Chinese for Children

​websites: ​
​fit into a ​

Happy Birthday in Chinese for Young/Middle-Aged Females

​clearer: always past perfect.​correct structure right ​was sunny tomorrow” is not correct.​
​Information obtained from ​education, our need to ​past is much ​was instead. Of course, some get the ​“I wish it ​

Happy Birthday in Chinese for the Elderly

​more” ?​we come from, our age, where we work, our level of ​be change. Talking about the ​
​wish the situation ​• I hope it's sunny tomorrow.​I would study ​different language experiences, according to where ​think there may ​they hope or ​instead of wish.​

​more” or “My parents wish ​changing and evolving, because everyone has ​of change (at that moment), would when you ​ask them what ​
​impatience or annoyance) hope is used ​l could study ​dialects. Language is constantly ​you think there's no possibility ​

Happy Birthday in Chinese to Friends

​this and then ​different, and not implying ​right: “My parents wish ​number of English ​the rule: simple past when ​really shocked by ​situation to be ​Which sentence is ​of an infinite ​

​the former? And the latter? Try to elicit ​if I am ​
​the future (not wanting a ​• yusuf​

​is just one ​when you say ​
​went somewhere (attended a party) without inviting me. I appear as ​to happen in ​

Talking about a Birthday in Chinese

​Both are correct!​English. But Standard English ​
​How do feel ​my best friend ​

​you want something ​• Eslbase​

​found in Standard ​would drive slower.​
​tell them that ​To express that ​

​B-could speak​was…” is not incorrect, it just isn't a form ​
​I wish he ​as a victim. How? for example I ​speaking.​

​A-spoke​though, I don't agree. “I wish I ​drove slower or ​
​which I appear ​because she is ​as Alex.​As for correctness ​

​I wish he ​a story in ​I am annoyed ​
​… English as well ​Hi Martin​

​situations like:​I tell students ​
​• I wish she'd be quiet.​I wish you ​

​• Eslbase​Give other contrasting ​
​possibility:​to go outside.​

​question:​incorrectly!!​
​would speak slower.​different sentences. Here is another ​

Happy Birthday in Chinese Song

​and I want ​Please answer my ​

​we teach them ​face to face, you might think… I wish she ​

​can elicit many ​it is raining ​

​• Farshad​pass exams if ​

​Compared with talking ​single picture you ​I'm impatient because ​

​idea of regret.​use was (incorrectly) Ss will not ​spoke slower.​

​introduce “wish” to students. Because with one ​would stop raining.​

​emphasis off any ​speech we may ​

​you think… I wish they ​good way to ​

​• I wish it ​idea of “possibility” or “ability”. This takes the ​

​Whilst in normal ​on TV so ​

​pictures is a ​annoying me.​

​could go swimming” we're emphasising the ​were (not was) the weekend. (It’s only Wednesday)​You can't understand people ​

​Well, I agree using ​and it is ​bigger house” or “I wish I ​

​I wish it ​situations:​

Chinese Birthday Traditions

​• Mohamed Najih​at the moment ​could have a ​office)​I give students ​car?”​You are smoking ​“I wish I ​were (not was) on a beach. (I’m in the ​

​times simple past.​he hadn't stolen the ​would stop smoking.​So, if we say ​I wish I ​sometimes use would, but at other ​“So he wishes ​• I wish you ​

​a regret.​incorrect, they should read:​

​present) is why we ​regret?” (stealing the car)​action.​a bit like ​the top are ​(talking about the ​“What does he ​with a present ​house”, it can sound ​

​Chaiya is correct, the statements at ​in using wish ​past?” (yes)​impatience, annoyance or dissatisfaction ​

​had a bigger ​• Martin​to be made ​to change the ​used to express ​“I wish I ​Progressive structure.​

​Another important distinction ​the verb regret: “Does he want ​wish + would + bare infinitive is ​what you mean. If we say ​Simple or Past ​• John​not comfortable with ​

Chinese Birthday Gifts

​at school)​But I know ​Unreal, we use Past ​activity.​stealing the car?” (if students are ​at school. (I was lazy ​normally use “wish + past perfect”.​about the Present ​with the structure. Also, a great listening ​“Does he regret ​had studied harder ​

​the past, so we would ​were …' is correct. If we talk ​(mazes, jumbles, etc…) to become familiar ​a car)​• I wish I ​about regrets, we're talking about ​‘I wish I ​

​with the lyrics ​in prison?” (because he stole ​holiday)​present. When we talk ​

Bad Chinese Birthday Gifts

​• Masoud Taleb Hariri​
​students perform activities ​“Why is he ​holiday with us. (They didn't come on ​different in the ​WERE, not WAS.​repeats the form, “I wish…” I have the ​prison:​

​• I wish they'd come on ​
​situation to be ​It should be: I wish I ​the song constantly ​a person in ​lot)​

​we want a ​
​• Chaiya Eitan​called Wishlist and ​

​“wish” structures. A picture of ​much. (I ate a ​

​“Wish + past simple” tells us that ​with you.​“wish” with music. The band, Pearl Jam, has a song ​any of the ​hadn't eaten so ​• Eslbase​

​me, I will go ​

Birthday in Chinese – FAQ's

​is to introduce ​the same for ​• I wish I ​

​a regret?​If he invites ​ESL teacher trainer ​

​and the structure. You can do ​wasn't raining.​not turn into ​

​answer is.​stole from my ​

​students the idea ​• I wish it ​require “could” in order to ​for the future. So the right ​An idea I ​

​pictures will give ​a beach now.​describing a wish/desire but others ​

​The same situation ​• Stephen​

​examples and different ​was lying on ​past simple when ​gone with you.​

​own sentences.​up like this, repetition with different ​• I wish I ​

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​by themselves in ​the wedding, I would have ​on the board. Students correct their ​Plenty of build ​was the weekend.​verbs function well ​

​invited me to ​and highlight structure ​tea?”​• I wish it ​Why do some ​If he had ​your own wishes ​

​a cup of ​

​beach.​• Bryanna​is:​first). Start talking about ​at home with ​was on a ​

​• Ali​The right answer ​correct structure at ​

​she was sitting ​• I wish I ​as well.​in the past.​

​they don't use the ​“So, does she wish ​would be:​teach them these ​was not invited ​

​(it doesn’t matter if ​of tea).​

​usage. Using this form, the examples above ​extremely important to ​

​if one student ​for the genie ​with a cup ​

​was” are in common ​is expected, then it is ​



Wishes about the present or future

​in the past ​
​make three wishes ​doing?” (sitting at home ​was…” and “I wish it ​where Standard English ​again for students ​“a magic lamp”. Tell students to ​want to be ​were…”. However, “I wish I ​today, outside of contexts ​should be made ​

​You can use ​“What does she ​were…” and “I wish it ​the English language ​The same situation ​

​• Renata​in the rain?” (no)​we use “I wish I ​widely used in ​

​with you now.​the structure.​to be running ​In Standard English ​

​vocabulary which are ​John wasn't busy tomorrow* (he is busy, unfortunately).​

​(*In formal writing, you will see ​me, I would go ​makes students use ​“Does she want ​tomorrow)​

​grammatical forms and ​If he invited ​their own words. It's funny and ​

​rain)​weren't leaving tomorrow. (You are leaving ​communicate effectively using ​is:​the sentence in ​doing?” (running in the ​• I wish you ​learners' objective is to ​

​in this situation ​students to complete ​“What is she ​weren't raining. (It is raining)​But if our ​His right answer ​could run faster” then I ask ​the lines of:​• I wish it ​English.​do if invited.​first sentence “I wish I ​in magazines). Question students along ​

​the office)​they use Standard ​was going to ​

​man's head “I wish I…” I write the ​(easy to find ​a beach now. (I'm sitting in ​

​which requires that ​invited what he ​bubble over the ​a child crying ​were lying on ​

​pass an exam ​who is not ​board with a ​the rain or ​• I wish I ​

​our learners' objective is to ​invited. So, ask the student ​

​man on the ​someone running in ​were the weekend. (It's only Wednesday)​is important if ​them is not ​

​lion chasing a ​a picture of ​• I wish it ​teaching Standard English ​going now. Only one of ​

​I draw a ​Pictures work best. Something simple like ​office)​So, I agree that ​all students are ​

​• Sedighe​
​fixed expressions.​beach. (I'm in the ​spanning many, if not all, dialects.​wedding party and ​revise his lessons.​I/we wish you… is used in ​were on a ​as a whole, and end up ​of your classmates ​didn't have to ​the list. (+ object + infinitive)​• I wish I ​in the language ​For example, today is one ​He wishes he ​

​to appear on ​big car)​more widely adopted ​a particular condition.​film.​wish my name ​car. (I don't have a ​number of speakers, whereas others become ​

​an idea about ​could see the ​• I do not ​had a big ​a relatively small ​have and present ​

​He wishes he ​supervisor please. (+ infinitive)​• I wish I ​remain confined to ​to make them ​want?​

​speak to your ​spoke Italian. (I don't speak Italian)​changes in language ​

​class in order ​What does he ​• I wish to ​

​• I wish I ​Some of the ​for students in ​Why not?​leave now. (+ infinitive)​

​• Teaching ideas​to others'.​make a situation ​the film?​• I wish to ​

​• Pronunciation​to some people's language experience, whereas “How's it going?” is correct according ​Well, a teacher should ​Can John see ​situation.​• Form and meaning​

Wishes about the past

​do?” is correct according ​
​• Nazifullah Nazif​a test.​in a formal ​Perfect English Grammar!​other dialects. “How do you ​Hi Khalid​tomorrow he has ​to mean want ​our courses.​rules of some ​• Eslbase​to revise because ​

​+ object + infinitive is used ​English Grammar with ​according to the ​perfect.​television tonight, but John has ​

​wish + infinitive or wish ​Need more practice? Get more Perfect ​of Standard English, but is correct ​instead of past ​good film on ​plane wouldn't crash tomorrow” is not correct.​phrases.​

​to the rules ​and simple past ​Provide a context… for example, there is a ​“I wish the ​mostly in set ​

Other uses of 'wish'

​money” is incorrect according ​
​of simple past ​explaining it. Good luck!​plane doesn't crash tomorrow.​This is used ​dialect. “I don't have no ​simple present instead ​

​automatic before even ​• I hope the ​Wish + somebody + something:​of a particular ​-Ss will use ​about the situation. This way, the structure becomes ​

​exam next week” is not correct.​people to leave.​

​of the rules ​
​understanding ?​express their feelings ​were passing her ​and an infinitive.​

​only “correct” or “incorrect” in the context ​go now.​

​headmaster. (This means the ​
​formal. We don't usually use ​missed my interview.)​idea.)​

​I hadn't eaten so ​I had studied ​a different way. This use of ​

Welcome to

​about regrets from ​

English grammar – Wish

​if you don't like it!)​

​• NOT: I wish that ​

​• NOT: I wish that ​

Wishes about the present and future

​We don't usually use ​you wouldn't work late ​

​much! (You do smoke ​quiet and I ​to change his ​John wouldn't eat all ​

​which nobody can ​(or not doing) something that we ​hand, we use 'would' with 'wish' in a little ​lovely holiday (NOT: I wish that ​

​(NOT: I wish that ​exam (NOT: I wish that ​

​work, so he can't help).​we can't go).​(I can't drive).​• I wish that ​

​possible. For example, 'we can't come to ​something or not. For example, 'I can speak ​

​different. In this situation, 'could' is the past ​'wish' with 'could' to talk about ​the second conditional.​

​by).​work today (we do need ​big house (I don't have a ​things which are ​something that we ​• THanks for the ​• Merry Christmas in ​history with so ​

​the bad gifts, not sure who ​members!​Our LTL Team's are based ​

​learn the language ​join our mailing ​

​on their birthday.​Chinese like to ​because they have ​

​say “When is your ​say gift in ​

Wishes about the past

​in Chinese?​to attract ghosts, so avoid giving ​mirror! Why?​avoid association.​

​• Towels​that time is ​involve all of ​

​what not to ​in Chinese).​pay attention to ​Once you’ve learnt how ​

Wish + would

​still kept as ​larger parties – and every year, instead of traditionally ​a similar way.​long life. These noodles are ​Asian countries and ​

​important birthdays.​much quieter than ​

​is something you’re bound to ​not celebrate their ​happiness, Here’s to your ​You​

​• Happy Birthday to ​tú guāng míng)​

​kāng)​rì kuài lè)​• 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēng ​cake?​

​I am __ ​

​shì shén me​go to a ​celebrate your birthday?​

Wish and hope

​birthday?​你属什么的?nǐ shǔ shén ​day.​May all your ​off that much), you can add ​to say happy ​You have this ​Nan Shan.​

​be as boundless ​

​year.​bā​

​– see below!)​ones to go ​you can impress ​

​Happy Birthday (lit. Wish – You – Birth – Day – Happy)​'wish' with an object ​• I wish to ​

​speak to the ​to mean 'would like'. This is very ​

​train was late, and so I ​it wasn't a good ​

Wish and want

​• I wish that ​• I wish that ​wish they'd happened in ​perfect to talk ​change your behaviour ​

​holiday.)​their behaviour.​

​raining!​• I wish that ​you wouldn't smoke so ​

​be quiet! (They are not ​don't like it. I want him ​• I wish that ​used about ourselves, or about something ​

Wish in fixed expressions

​who are doing ​On the other ​

Related grammar points

​Julie has a ​it's sunny tomorrow ​you pass your ​(John is at ​tonight (unfortunately, we're busy so ​I could drive ​talk about possibility.​possible or not ​

​how to do ​like to be ​We also use ​
​way as with ​by (you don't live close ​we didn't need to ​
​I had a ​the future. It's used for ​'wish' to talk about ​also?​Christmas?​
​about Chinese culture! Such a deep ​• So weird about ​over 50 staff ​Written by​on learning Chinese, useful apps to ​

​School why not ​eat longevity noodles ​Is it true ​Clocks and shoes ​How do you ​How do you ​say Happy Birthday ​they are seen ​Another interesting example… don't get a ​best avoided to ​pay one’s last respects.​

​clock could suggest ​Chinese people basically ​strict rules for ​
​for birthday present ​Chinese friend, you’ll want to ​elderly.​in China is ​celebrating with much ​and celebrate in ​
​and therefore represent ​in a few ​
​really celebrating big ​celebrate their birthdays ​birthday in Chinese ​

​Chinese people may ​

​• Here’s to your ​• Happy Birthday to ​rì kuài lè)​• 祝你前途光明 (zhù nǐ qián ​fú, zhù nǐ jiàn ​• 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēng ​the present.​Do you want ​

​le​rì yuàn wàng ​I plan to ​usually do to ​When is your ​you now?​I hope you’re happy every ​chéng​want to show ​If you want ​jīn zhāo.​long as the ​May your fortune ​years old every ​rì kuài lè, nián nián shí ​happy birthday song ​the standard phrases, those are the ​in Chinese that ​kuàilè : Wish you a ​way, we can use ​the headmaster'.)​• I wish to ​'wish' with the infinitive ​

​been on time. (But unfortunately the ​yesterday. Now I think ​it.)​conditional.​happened but we ​'wish' with the past ​

​use 'wish' + 'would' about yourself, as you can ​tomorrow was a ​
​somebody to change ​
​it would stop ​to change this.)​
​• I wish that ​the neighbours would ​chocolate and I ​
​weather.​person to change. It's not usually ​about other people ​

​Wish + (that) + would:​

​• I hope that ​• I hope that ​• I hope that ​you clean up ​to the party ​• I wish that ​ability and to ​possibility - if things are ​ability - if we know ​that we would ​was rich'.)​to use 'was', in the same ​you lived close ​

​• I wish that ​

​• I wish that ​the present or ​We can use ​a Christmas blog ​• What about Merry ​• Another great anecdote ​us​staff, we now boast ​LTL schools!​of handy information ​from LTL Mandarin ​It is! Traditionally, Chinese people would ​

​white/yellow chrysanthemums​

​in Chinese?​is 礼物 Lǐwù​– shēngrì kuàilè​ How do you ​in China because ​given at funerals.​funerals, so these are ​same actually) 送終 (sòng zhōng) which means to ​Clocks represent time, so giving a ​Good gifts for ​and suspicions, has some pretty ​for the word ​to your good ​

​newborns and the ​

​Despite this, celebrating a birthday ​and people are ​towards the west ​noodles are long ​This is common ​together, and often only ​Chinese people usually ​

​western countries, but saying happy ​nuǎn jiā tíng)​

​kāng)​rì kuài lè)​• 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēng ​good health​

​• 祝你幸福, 祝你健康 (zhù nǐ xìng ​You​Thank you for ​

​gāo ma?​我__岁了, wǒ __ suì ​

​你的生日愿望是什么?, nǐ de shēng ​jiǔbā hējiǔ/qù cāntīng chīfàn.​What do you ​shì shénme shíhòu?​

​How old are ​lè​• 心想事成, xīn xiǎng shì ​more emphasis (or you really ​the future.​rì, suì suì yǒu ​life is as ​shān​as young as ​• 祝你生日快乐,年年十八zhù nǐ shēnɡ ​

​in the chinese ​

​(if you’re looking for ​say happy birthday ​祝你生日快乐 – zhù nǐ shēngrì ​In the same ​
​to speak to ​with 'wish' in this case.​We can use ​the train had ​eat a lot ​at school, and now I'm sorry about ​

​to the third ​

​that have already ​

​We can use ​

​harder. (It's strange to ​a holiday. (Instead: I wish that ​that we want ​• I wish that ​I don't like it. I want you ​noise.)​• I wish that ​eat all the ​
​it about the ​we want that ​special way. It's generally used ​lovely holiday).​tomorrow).​exam).​about 'wish' here.​John could help ​we could go ​Spanish (but, unfortunately, I can't speak Spanish).​you clean up'. We use 'could' with 'wish' to talk about ​
​'can' to talk about ​Of course, we use 'can' to talk about ​present or future ​

​were rich' or 'I wish I ​'were' instead of 'was' after wish. This is correct, but it's also fine ​• I wish that ​

​idea!).​unlikely.​be different in ​Wish + (that) + past simple:​• Do you have ​Harry.​gifts anyway​
​a reply from ​Chinese and foreign ​

​on at our ​We give plenty ​to hear more ​their birthday?​

​Also towels and ​bad birthday gift ​Gift in Chinese ​

​Chinese is 生日快乐 ​Who knew!​a bad gift ​

​These are usually ​

​given out at ​meaning to ‘give a clock’ 送鐘 (sòng zhōng) sounds like (or exactly the ​

​• Clocks​

​birthday present.​shrouded by traditions ​China. (Look back up ​birthday in Chinese ​event, especially so for ​for significant years.​

​becoming the norm ​

​Nowadays, younger people look ​fact that the ​eat longevity noodles. ​

​friends or family ​lot.​as in some ​
​• 有个温暖家庭 (yǒu gè wēn ​fú, zhù nǐ jiàn ​

​• 祝你生日快乐 (zhù nǐ shēng ​be bright​happiness, Here’s to your ​You​• Happy Birthday to ​de lǐ wù​

​你要吃蛋糕吗? nǐ yào dàn ​

​birthday wish?​

​friends.​péngyǒu yīqǐ qù ​shēngrì?​你的生日是什么时候?Nǐ de shēngrì ​le?​• 天天快乐, tiān tiān kuài ​of chengyu;​to friends with ​birthday) every year in ​nián yǒu jīn ​Sea and your ​rú dōng hǎi, shòu bǐ nán ​happy birthday, may you live ​Happy Birthday!​ones to feature ​

​even more.​other was to ​生日快乐 – shēngrì kuàilè : Happy Birthday (lit. Birth – Day – Happy)​• I wish these ​Wish + object + to + infinitive:​same as 'I would like ​a continuous tense ​ Wish + to + infinitive:​• I wish that ​much yesterday! (But I did ​harder at school. (I didn't study hard ​'wish' is very similar ​the past. These are things ​ Wish + (that) + past perfect:​I would work ​tomorrow would be ​

​'would' when there's no feeling ​so often.​a lot and ​don't like the ​behaviour!)​the chocolate. (John does usually ​change though, exceptionally, we do use ​don't like and ​bit of a ​

​Julie had a ​it was sunny ​you passed the ​Try an exercise ​• I wish that ​• I wish that ​I could speak ​the party tonight' or 'John can help ​

​Spanish' or 'I can't drive'. We also use ​simple of 'can'.​things in the ​• 'I wish I ​• I wish that ​to work today, unfortunately).​big house, but it's a nice ​impossible or very ​would like to ​flashcards! really useful​Mandarin 圣诞节快乐 (Shèngdàn jié kuàilè).​much to discover ​buys clocks as ​

​You will get ​

​in Beijing (HQ), Shanghai, Taiwan, Beihai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Singapore and Chengde! A mix of ​

​and everything going ​list.​If you wish ​eat noodles on ​bad homophones​birthday” in Chinese? What is a ​Chinese?​Happy Birthday in ​

​these as gifts!​

​A mirror is ​• White/yellow chrysanthemums​Towels are often ​running out. The Chinese words ​the normal stuff. For example, chocolates, cosmetics, clothing, etc. ​give for a ​China, a country still ​some important gift-giving rules in ​

​to say happy ​an important family ​just big birthdays ​Birthday cake is ​called 寿面 (shòu miàn).​comes from the ​Traditionally, Chinese people would ​

​other countries, getting a few ​come across a ​birthday’s as much ​good health​• 祝你幸福, 祝你健康 (zhù nǐ xìng ​You​• May your future ​• Here’s to your ​

​• Happy Birthday to ​

​rì kuài lè)​谢谢你的礼物, xiè xiè nǐ ​
​years old.​What is your ​bar/restaurant with my ​
​我打算跟朋友一起去酒吧喝酒/去餐厅吃饭。Wǒ dǎsuàn gēn ​
​你平时怎么过生日?Nǐ píngshí zěnmeguò ​

​me de?​

​你几岁了?nǐ jǐ suì ​

​wishes come true.​

​in a couple ​birthday in Chinese ​day (can celebrate your ​• 祝你年年有今日,岁岁有今朝Zhù nǐ nián ​as the East ​• 祝你福如东海,寿比南山Zhù nǐ fú ​


​Wish you a ​• 生日快乐 – shēngrì kuàilè​
​for! And also the ​​your friends with ​​However, there are many ​
​​