Wishes (Oleks mul!)
Oleks mul rohkem aega! means If only I had more time! Kui ma vaid teaksin! means If only I knew!
How It Works
There are two common ways to make a wish:
- Conditional verb first: Oleks mul rohkem aega! (If only I had more time!)
- kui ... vaid with the conditional: Kui ma vaid teaksin! (If only I knew!)
Vaid can also stand next to the verb without kui: Oleks vaid isa kodus! The particle ometi adds impatience: Kui see ometi juba läbi saaks!
For regret about the past, use the past conditional: Oleksin ma seda varem teadnud! (If only I had known that earlier!)
A wish is really an if-clause without the then-part. If you add the result, you get an ordinary unreal condition: Kui mul oleks aega, tuleksin.
A polite wish about yourself can also use tahaksin: Tahaksin jääda nooreks!
Examples (6)
- Oleks mul rohkem aega!
If only I had more time!
Word by Word: would-be I-at more time
- Kui ma vaid teaksin!
If only I knew!
- Oleks vaid isa kodus!
If only Dad were home!
- Kui see ometi juba läbi saaks!
If only this would finally be over!
Ometi adds impatience.
- Oleksin ma seda varem teadnud!
If only I had known that earlier!
The past conditional expresses regret.
- Saaks ma homme kauem magada!
If only I could sleep in tomorrow!
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative in a wish.
Kui ma vaid tean!Kui ma vaid teaksin!A wish is about something unreal, so the verb must be in the conditional.
Keeping ordinary word order without vaid.
Mul oleks rohkem aega!Oleks mul rohkem aega!Mul oleks rohkem aega sounds like a statement: I would have more time. For a wish, put the verb first or add vaid.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Wishes use the conditional, often with kui ... vaid.
Related Patterns
- Conditional (-ksi-)
The verb form used in every wish.
Level 3 - Would Have (oleksin teinud)
Used for regret about the past.
Level 3 - ju / küll / vist / ometiParticles Ju, Küll, Vist, Ometi
Ometi adds impatience to a wish.
Level 3 - Polite Requests
Tahaksin is a softer way to state a wish.
Level 3 - Short Conditional
Oleks is the short conditional that works for every person.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Wishes (Oleks mul!) in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Estonian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
