When you find yourself daydreaming about an escape, use вот бы ("if only") to express a strong wish or desire.
Wishing to do something
To express a wish to do something yourself, pair вот бы with an infinitive verb. In English, this often translates to "If only I could..."
| If only I could instantly disappear and wake up on an island! | Вот бы вмиг исчезнуть и проснуться на острове! |
| If only I could win the lottery and go away for a year. | Вот бы выиграть в лотерею и уехать на год. |
| If only I could sit under a palm tree and drink a cold cocktail. | Вот бы сидеть под пальмой и пить холодный коктейль. |
Wishing for a change in reality
When wishing for a change in circumstances, or for someone else to do something, use вот бы followed by a verb in the past tense. Because бы is a conditional particle, it requires the past tense to express a hypothetical situation (agreeing in gender and number with the subject).
| If only this endless winter would end instantly! | Вот бы эта бесконечная зима вмиг закончилась! |
| If only he won the lottery and bought us tickets to paradise. | Вот бы он выиграл в лотерею и купил нам билеты в рай. |
You can also use this structure with the past tense of быть (to be) to wish for possession or a general state of affairs.
| If only we had a carefree and endless life! | Вот бы у нас была беззаботная и бесконечная жизнь! |
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