The word wish is similar in meaning to the expression "would like": I wish I had a big house = I would like to have a big house. (My house now is small) I wish I had been there = I would like to have been there.(but I wasn't there) I wish you would stop talking = I would like you to stop talking. I wish to see the manager = I would like to see the manager. I wish you a Merry Christmas = I would like you to have a Merry Christmas. Its main use is to express regret that things are not different. It is possible to use wish in this way to talk about both the present/future and the past: I wish (that) I weren't here now.(I'd like to be somewhere else!) I wish (that) I didn't have to go to school tomorrow.(...but I have to) I wish (that) I had ...