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Structure

Should have done

Verb ば-form + よかった

Should not have done

Verb なければ + よかった

〜ばよかった expresses regret about the past—wishing you had done something differently. It combines the conditional ば form with よかった (was good).

Regret about inaction - Wishing you had done something

Hindsight - Realizing what would have been better

もっと早く起きればよかった。

I should have woken up earlier.

For negative regret (wish you hadn''t done something), use 〜なければよかった.

Express regret about the past

- 勉強すればよかった (I should have studied)

ばよかった vs たらよかった

- Both work, ばよかった slightly more common

のに often follows for emphasis

- 言えばよかったのに (You should have said so)

もっと早く起きればよかった。

I should have woken up earlier.

傘を持ってくればよかった。

I should have brought an umbrella.

あんなこと言わなければよかった。

I shouldn't have said that.

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