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Often times, a situation comes up and I want to use the expression "I wish!" For instance, somebody asks me: "Is that brand new car yours?" or "Was that you who I saw winning $1000?"

However, I don't think that simply saying "Ich wünsche!" is appropriate for this (of course I could be wrong, in which case please let me know).

So could someone please help me with a good translation for "I wish!" ?

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In such kinds of situations "schön wär's" is the term of choice. You could also say "Ich wünschte es wäre so.". "Ich wünschte" or "Ich wünsche" will never be used alone.

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    Note that "Schön wär's!" has the emphasis on the second word.
    – Phira
    May 25, 2011 at 5:14
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    Definitely "Schön wär's". Not only is it the best translation, it also has the exact same meaning and usage.
    – F.P
    May 25, 2011 at 5:42
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Alternatively, a figure of speech you could use here is "Dein Wort in Gottes Ohr!". (Dict.cc translates that as "Let's hope so, by goodness!".)

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    This does not mean the same thing. "Dein Wort in Gottes Ohr" is used after the conversation partner expressed a wish, to express the speaker's desire that this wish shall become true.
    – cemper93
    Sep 1, 2011 at 23:51
  • @cemper93 Agreed, it's not interchangable. Just a related phrase you can use if the conversation partner used a slightly different line.
    – hheimbuerger
    Sep 2, 2011 at 11:17

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