Wishful Thinking, Hopes, and Emotions - Ojalá

Expressing wishful thinking in Spanish requires the mastering of the Subjunctive Mood, an essential but often tricky part of the language.

 Among the many uses of Subjunctive, one of the most poetic and heartfelt one is expressing wishful thinking, hopes, and emotions. The subjunctive allows speakers to convey but what they desire, feel or imagine.

Expressing Hopes and Wishes

Here are some expressions that will lead you to subjunctive:

• Espero que…

  I hope that...

• Espero que tengas un buen día. 

  I hope you have a good day.

• Quiero que...

  I want that...

• Quiero que vengas a la fiesta.

  I want you to come to the party.

• Me gustaría que... 

  I would like that...

• Me gustaría que viajáramos juntos. 

  I would like us to travel together.

  
  

Expressing how something makes you feel.

The subjunctive is also used after verbs that express emotions, since emotions often involve uncertainty or subjective perception. It's about how something makes you feel. Here are some common examples:

• Me alegra que...

  It makes me happy that...

• Me alegra que estés aquí. 

  I'm happy that you are here.

• Me molesta que... 

  It bothers me that...

• Me molesta que hablen tan alto. 

  It bothers me that they speak so loudly.

• Tengo miedo de que... 

  I'm afraid that...

• Tengo miedo de que llueva mañana. 

  I'm afraid that it will rain tomorrow.

How to Form the Subjunctive?

The subjunctive often appears in subordinate clauses that are introduced by specific phrases or conjunctions.

The Subjunctive and Its Different Tenses

Depending on how likely the wish is to come true, different tenses of the subjunctive are used:

Present Subjunctive: Used for wishes about the present or future that are still possible.

• Ojalá que apruebes el examen.

         I hope you pass the exam.

• Ojalá que venga mañana. 

I hope he/she comes tomorrow.

Imperfect Subjunctive:  Used for wishes that are unlikely or hypothetical.

• Ojalá que ganara la lotería. 

I wish I won the lottery.

• Ojalá que estuvieras aquí. 

I wish you were here.

Past Perfect (Pluperfect) Subjunctive: Used for regrets about the past, used to express what you wished had happened. There's no change this happens anymore.

• Ojalá que hubieras llegado antes. 

I wish you had arrived earlier.

• Ojalá que no hubiera llovido. 

I wish it hadn’t rained.

The Meaning and Origins of Ojalá

The word ojalá comes from the Arabic phrase in shā' Allāh, meaning "if God wills it." Over time, it evolved in Spanish to express hope, longing, or desire. While it no longer has a strictly religious meaning, it retains a sense of deep yearning.

Ojalá is almost always followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. This is because the subjunctive expresses uncertainty, possibility, or emotions—exactly what wishful thinking is all about!

Note: In informal speech, ojalá can be used without que.

• Ojalá que llueva pronto. 

I hope it rains soon.

• Ojalá pudiéramos viajar más. 

I wish we could travel more.

The Subjunctive hacks

1. Learn Common Triggers:  Memorize the verbs, phrases, and conjunctions that commonly require the subjunctive. For example: ojalá, a menos que, para que, espero que, cuando, etc. This makes it easier to identify when to use the subjunctive.

   
   

2. Understand the Intention:  Focus on the intention of the sentence. If the action involves doubt, emotion, desire, or uncertainty, chances are it requires the subjunctive.

   
   

3. Practice with Flashcards: Use flashcards to memorize triggers, irregular forms and conjugations. Include example sentences to reinforce context.

   
   

4. Break Down Sentences: Identify the main clause and subordinate clause. If the main clause expresses doubt, desire, or emotion, the subordinate clause often uses the subjunctive.

   
   

5. Listen and Mimic: Watch Spanish movies, TV shows, or listen to songs that use the subjunctive. Pay attention to how native speakers use it and try mimicking their phrasing.

   
   

6. Write Sentences Daily: Incorporate the subjunctive into your daily writing. Start with simple sentences and gradually build complexity.

   
   

7. Ask for Feedback: Practice speaking with a tutor or native speaker and ask them to point out when you use or miss the subjunctive.

   
   

8. Use Mnemonics: Create mnemonics for irregular verbs. For example, "SIDES" can help you remember ser, ir, dar, estar, saber – common irregular verbs in the subjunctive. Also, "WEIRDO" to identify when to use it.

   

   
   

9. To form the present subjunctive, start with the first-person singular form of the verb in the present indicative, drop the final “-o,” and add the following endings:

   
   

   

   
   

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

1. Overusing the Subjunctive: Not every sentence with a subordinate clause requires the subjunctive. Statements of fact or certainty need the indicative mood.

Creo que es verdad. (I think it’s true.) – Indicative

No creo que sea verdad. (I don’t think it’s true.) – Subjunctive

2. Forgetting Agreement: Ensure the verb matches the subject in number and person.

   
   

3. Misidentifying Triggers: Not all impersonal expressions or conjunctions trigger the subjunctive. For example, porque (because) does not require it. Also, words such as cuando, mientras and que could be used in the subjunctive as much as in the indicative mood.

The subjunctive mood is a powerful tool for expressing nuance in Spanish and, even though it can feel daunting at first, understanding it through expressions of hope, wishes, and emotions makes it easier and more meaningful.  While it may take time to grasp fully, consistent practice and exposure will make it second nature.

Whether you’re hoping for good weather, dreaming of travel, or expressing happiness for a friend, the subjunctive gives your Spanish that extra emotional depth. So next time you have a wish or a strong feeling, let the subjunctive do its magic!

We hope this information is of great help to you! If you still have any questsions, feel free to leave us a comment, we'll make sure to answer asap.

Would you like to practice the use of SUBJUNCTIVE with an expert tutor? Join our Subjunctive Master Class and take your Spanish skills to the next level! This comprehensive package includes:

• In-depth lessons to master the use of the Subjunctive Mood.

• Engaging worksheets to reinforce your understanding

• Handy cheat sheets for quick reference

• Answer keys to track your progress

• Live conversation practice with a native Spanish speaker

Whether you're an intermediate learner or if you're advanced looking to refine your fluency and accuracy, this class is designed to build your confidence in everyday conversation."

Subjunctive Master Class