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〜ますように・〜ように (wishes and reminders)

may …, I hope; (reminder) be sure to

Verb ます-form + ように (wish) · Plain form + ように。 (reminder)

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At the end of a sentence, ように can express a wish or prayer: 試験に合格できますように, "please let me pass the exam". You'll see it written on shrine prayer boards (絵馬) and in cards: 早く元気になりますように, "hoping you get well soon".

The wish uses the polite ます-form, even though no one is being addressed directly.

The same ending also gives a firm but indirect instruction, as in notices, teachers' reminders and meetings: 明日は遅れないように, "don't be late tomorrow". Here the plain form comes before ように.

Both uses leave off the verb that would normally follow (祈る, "pray", or 言う, "tell"), which is why they feel soft and formal.

Examples

  • 試験しけんに合格ごうかくできますように。

    Please let me pass the exam.

  • 早はやく元気げんきになりますように。

    Hoping you get well soon.

  • 明日晴あしたはれますように。

    Please let it be sunny tomorrow.

  • 明日あしたは遅おくれないように。

    Make sure you're not late tomorrow.

  • 明日あしたは八時はちじまでに集あつまるように。

    Be here by eight tomorrow.

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