〜ますように (~masu you ni) — I pray that
The prayer you say with hands together, or when wishing someone well.
Formula (सूत्र ढाँचा)
Grammar rule (व्याकरण नियम र परिभाषा)
When to use it
You hear it at New Year, before exams, and for a friend who is ill, and it is what you write in a card.
Meaning
「〜ますように」expresses a prayer or heartfelt wish: 「試験に合格しますように」= may I pass the exam.
How to attach
- Use the ます-form, then ように — and the sentence simply ends there, with nothing after it.
- For a negative wish, 「〜ませんように」: 「雨が降りませんように」= please don't let it rain.
Versus what you know
N4It differs from 「〜ように」of purpose — this one is a prayer.
Examples (उदाहरणहरू)
試験に合格しますように。
しけんにごうかくしますように。
Please let me pass the exam.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 合格する → ます-form 合格します → attach ように to it → the sentence ends right there → it becomes a prayer.
明日、雨が降りませんように。
あした、あめがふりませんように。
I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) 降る → ません-form 降りません → attach ように to it → it becomes a negative wish.
ご家族が元気でいらっしゃいますように。
ごかぞくがげんきでいらっしゃいますように。
May your family stay well.
How it is built (कसरी बन्यो) いらっしゃる → ます-form いらっしゃいます → attach ように → it becomes a polite wish you write on a card.
Knowledge check (मिनी ज्ञान जाँच)
「元気になり＿。」— which says "may you get well"?
💡 Hint: The prayer form.
ます-form + ように = a wish.
Which form makes a negative wish?
💡 Hint: 「雨が降り＿」
〜ませんように = may it not happen.
What comes after 「〜ますように」?
💡 Hint: The sentence just ends.
Nothing follows; the sentence ends there.
Your score: /3