کاش

Expressing a Wish About a Situation

Level 4

کاش → a wish, with the following verb showing its time.

How It Works

کاش introduces a wish. With a bare habitual-looking form, it often imagines a different present. With a perfective form and ہوتا, it often expresses a past regret.

A subjunctive can look forward to a hoped-for event. Do not translate every کاش sentence as a past regret: inspect the following verb and the surrounding conversation.

You may also encounter کاش کہ. The wish remains the main point; کہ introduces what is wished for.

Examples (4)

  1. کاش میرے پاس ایک اور دن ہوتا۔

    If only I had one more day.

    ہوتا imagines a different present situation.

  2. کاش ہم نے پتے کی تصدیق کر لی ہوتی۔

    If only we had checked the address.

    Perfective plus ہوتی looks back at a missed action; تصدیق is feminine.

  3. کاش کل موسم اچھا ہو۔

    I hope the weather is good tomorrow.

    The subjunctive ہو expresses a future wish.

  4. کاش مریم بھی ہمارے ساتھ آ سکتی۔

    If only Maryam could come with us too.

    The wished-for situation concerns her ability to join.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

کاشLevel 4Expressing a Wish About a Situation

Learn This First

Understand an unreal or wished alternative to the actual situation. Recognize open wishes with the subjunctive as distinct from counterfactual forms.

Words in This Pattern

کاش