ojalá estuviera contigo
/oxala estubjeɾa kontiɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I wish I was with you" is translated into Spanish as ojalá estuviera contigo.
This phrase is used to express a hypothetical desire for a current state that is not true (the speaker is not currently with the person).
What does it mean word for word?
The expression is composed of ojalá, a loanword from Arabic that expresses a strong wish or hope and estuviera is the imperfect subjunctive form of estar (to be).
How does it change in a sentence?
The form estuviese is an alternative imperfect subjunctive form of estuviera that is equally correct and interchangeable in most contexts.
Did you know?
- While many learners focus on the verb, the tiny word contigo actually hides a redundant structure, as it is a contraction of the Latin 'cum tecum' meaning 'with you with'.
- Because ojalá carries an implicit prayer-like quality, saying ojalá estuviera contigo can feel like an invocation of destiny rather than just a casual statement of desire.
- The word ojalá is used so frequently in Spanish that it has lost its religious connotation and is used by people of all beliefs to express a strong hope.
Examples in context
- Ojalá estuviera contigo en las vacaciones.I wish I was with you on vacation.
- Ojalá estuviera contigo ahora mismo.I wish I was with you right now.
- Ojalá estuviera contigo en esa fiesta.I wish I was with you at that party.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are talking on the phone late at night.
- LucíaTe extraño mucho, Mateo.I miss you a lot, Mateo.
- MateoYo también te extraño, Lucía.I miss you too, Lucía.
- LucíaOjalá estuviera contigo en este momento.I wish I was with you at this moment.
- MateoPronto estaremos juntos de nuevo.Soon we will be together again.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contigo, ojalá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
