Spanish word

ojalá

Pronunciation

IPA/oxaˈla/

Meaning

  • interjectionI hope

Example

Ojalá podamos viajar este verano.

I hope we can travel this summer.

Illustration for ojalá (I hope)

More examples

¡Ojalá que apruebes la entrevista!

I hope that you pass the interview!

Core concept

A short exclamation expressing a wish that something will happen.

Common phrases

  • ojalá que

    hope that

  • ojalá no

    hope not

  • ojalá fuera

    wish it were

Similar words

Dios quiera: Devotional plea asking God to grant a desired result.
Ojalá que: Clause-initial phrase that introduces a wish and normally takes the subjunctive.

Definition in Spanish

Expresa un deseo; puede aparecer con o sin 'que' y sirve como reacción o como inicio de una petición de esperanza.

Word origin

From Arabic in sha' Allah meaning 'if God wills', borrowed into medieval Spanish and gradually secularized into a general expression of hope.

Usage tips

  • Often appears with the subjunctive (sometimes without que), and uses the imperfect subjunctive to express unlikely or counterfactual wishes.

Other meanings

  • mayinterjection
  • hopefullyinterjection

Word lists with this word