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In trying to search for a Japanese equivalent to "I hope~" in English, I've
found two expressions 「といいね」and「ように（祈る/願う）」. However, I'm not sure how to use
them properly. (I feel that the latter construction is more similar to "I
hope" purely in terms of structure, but that doesn't mean anything,
necessarily.) What is the difference between these two expressions?

For example, what's the difference between

> (1) 試験に合格するように
>
> (2) 試験に合格するといいな

in trying to say "I hope you pass the exam"?
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2018-01-26T14:26:47.147
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2018-01-28T08:24:01.077
2018-01-27T03:58:05.670
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meaning nuances
"I hope" - といい vs. ように
I think you mean ますように rather than ように. 試験に合格しますように is more natural.

They are basically the same meaning. However I think 試験に合格しますように has a
stronger wish than 試験に合格するといいな.
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2018-01-26T16:08:49.777
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2018-01-26T16:08:49.777
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The main difference is whether you want it to sound like a wish/prayer/humble
request (～ますように。), or like a simple hope/desire for an outcome (～といい～).

Take this example:

> 「彼が長生きし **ますように** 。」 ‘May he live long.’
>
> 「彼が長生きする **といい(です)ね** 。」 ‘It will be nice if he lives long.’

In trying to say 'I hope you pass your exam' I would use

> 「試験に合格し **ますように** 。」 'May you pass your exam.', 'I pray that you pass your
> exam'.
>
> 「合格する **といいね** ！」 'It would be nice if you passed!'
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2018-01-26T18:08:49.207
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