Using ojalá + the present subjunctive to express hope (El Presente de Subjuntivo)

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How to use ojalá in Spanish

Ojalá is a very commonly used expression in Spanish that means I hope that… when it is followed by El Presente de Subjuntivo. It is always followed by the subjunctive mood, never by the indicative.

The structure ojalá + El Presente de Subjuntivo is used in sentences with a future idea.

See the following examples:

Mi madre dice que ojalá me case con Rafael.My mum says that she hopes I marry Rafael.

Ojalá tengas suerte en el examen.I hope you are lucky in the exam.

¡Ojalá no llueva mañana!I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow!

¡Ojalá que Pedro me llame pronto!I hope Pedro rings me soon!

¡Ojalá que nos contraten a todos en esa empresa!I hope they employ all of us in that company!

¡Ojalá seáis felices!I wish you happiness!

The origin of the word ojalá is said to be from the Arabic for God willing or if God wills it. Ojalá is often translated as hopefully or let's hope.

Ojalá or Ojalá que + El Presente de Subjuntivo = I hope (something happens)

One can express the same idea with the structure Esperar que + El Presente de Subjuntivo; however, the word Ojalá expresses more intensity in the idea of hope. 

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Examples and resources

Ojalá tengas suerte en el examen.I hope you are lucky in the exam.
¡Ojalá que nos contraten a todos en esa empresa!I hope they employ all of us in that company!
¡Ojalá no llueva mañana!I hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow!
Mi madre dice que ojalá me case con Rafael.My mum says that she hopes I marry Rafael.
¡Ojalá que Pedro me llame pronto!I hope Pedro rings me soon!
¡Ojalá seáis felices!I wish you happiness!
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