सोचा था अच्छा होगा

You can use this phrase as a standalone sentence. It works perfectly when someone asks for your opinion. You can also add it to the start of a sentence to explain why you are disappointed. It is very flexible with gender and number because the subject is often implied. If you are talking about a specific thing, you might change hoga to hogi for feminine nouns. But in casual talk, the masculine hoga is often the default 'it'.

Use it when the food is bland at a fancy restaurant. Use it when a vacation spot is too crowded. It is great for texting friends about a bad date. If a new gadget breaks immediately, this is your go-to line. It sounds natural in almost any casual conversation. It shows you are relatable and have opinions.

Avoid this in high-stakes professional feedback. Don't say it to your boss about a project they led. It sounds a bit too dismissive for formal critiques. Also, don't use it for serious tragedies. If someone’s car is totaled, this sounds way too lighthearted. It’s for 'first-world problems,' not life-changing disasters. Keep it light and slightly salty.

Indians are generally very expressive about their expectations. There is a cultural love for 'paisa vasool' (getting your money's worth). When something isn't achha (good), it feels like a personal betrayal of that value. This phrase is a staple in Bollywood movie reviews. It reflects a culture that values high quality and emotional satisfaction. It’s often said with a specific head tilt of regret.

You might hear Socha tha achha rahega which means the same thing. Some people add Maine at the start: Maine socha tha... (I thought...). For extra emphasis, people say Bahut socha tha achha hoga (I thought it would be very good). If you want to sound more dramatic, try Kitna socha tha achha hoga! (How much I thought it would be good!).