ばと思う / ば(いい)と思う

Usage

Used to express the speaker's wishes or desires. [-ばいいのに] is used to indicate regret that the actual situation is different from what one would have liked

Examples

誰かいい人と出あればと思って、パーティーに行った I went to the party hoping to meet someone nice

あんな素敵な人が恋人ならなあ If only such a wonderful person would be my lover

このかばん、欲しいけど高いなあ。もっと安ければいいのに I'd love to have this bag, but it's expensive. If only it were cheaper