ojalá estuvieras aquí
/oxala estubjeɾas aki/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I wish you were here" is translated into Spanish as ojalá estuvieras aquí.
This phrase is used to express a desire for someone to be in the speaker's current location.
Which one should you use?
While ojalá estuvieras aquí directly translates to "I wish you were here", you can also say Sería genial si estuvieras aquí, which means "It would be great if you were here".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb estuvieras is the imperfect subjunctive form of estar. This specific mood is required because the wish describes a situation that is contrary to the current reality. Using the indicative mood instead of the subjunctive would be grammatically incorrect in this context.
Did you know?
- The word ojalá is actually a linguistic trace of the Islamic period in Spain. It stems from the Arabic phrase 'wa šā' Allāh', which means 'and may God will it'.
- The word ojalá emphasizes a longing for a miracle or a change in fate, which is a more intense emotional nuance than the English word 'wish'.
- In Spanish, ojalá is so powerful that it can be used on its own as an exclamation to mean 'I hope so' or 'if only'.
Examples in context
- ¡Ojalá estuvieras aquí conmigo!I wish you were here with me!
- Ojalá estuvieras aquí conmigo.I wish you were here with me.
- Mira este paisaje, ojalá estuvieras aquí.Look at this landscape, I wish you were here.
- La fiesta es divertida, pero ojalá estuvieras aquí.The party is fun, but I wish you were here.
Example conversation
María is video calling Javier from a beautiful beach.
- María¡El mar es azul y hermoso! Ojalá estuvieras aquí.The sea is blue and beautiful! I wish you were here.
- JavierMe encantaría estar contigo en la playa, María.I would love to be with you at the beach, María.
- MaríaTe extraño mucho, Javier.I miss you a lot, Javier.
- JavierYo también te extraño, pronto nos veremos.I miss you too, we will see each other soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aquí, ojalá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
