Spanish grammar
Ojalá + imperfect subjunctive vs + present subjunctive
Wish for something unlikely or hope for something still possible, using ojalá.
From the scene Ojalá tuviéramos terraza (I wish we had a terrace)
In short
Ojalá + present subjunctive hopes for something possible. Ojalá + imperfect subjunctive wishes for something untrue.
Your turn
Which one goes with I wish we had (we don't)?
Options: ojalá tuviéramos · ojalá hubiera · ojalá haya
Show answer
I wish we had (we don't) → ojalá tuviéramos
How it works
Ojalá + imperfect subjunctive wishes for something untrue or very unlikely: ojalá hubiera ascensor (there isn't one).
Your turn
Pick the word that fits the line.
Y ojalá también os (blank) el precio.
Clue: still possible: they don't know the price yet
Options: guste · gusta · gustaría
Show answer
Y ojalá también os guste el precio.
And I hope you like the price too.
Good to know
Ojalá + present subjunctive hopes for something still possible: ojalá haya buenas vistas (we don't know yet).
I wish there were (there isn't) ojalá hubiera
Nuria
Ojalá hubiera ascensor... ¡Otra vez un cuarto sin ascensor!
I wish there were a lift... A fourth floor with no lift, again!
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) ascensor... ¡Otra vez un cuarto sin ascensor!
Options: Ojalá haya · Ojalá hubiera · Ojalá tuviéramos
Show answer
Nuria
Ojalá hubiera ascensor... ¡Otra vez un cuarto sin ascensor!
I wish there were a lift... A fourth floor with no lift, again!
I wish we had (we don't) ojalá tuviéramos
Nuria
¡Qué bonito! Ojalá tuviéramos terraza para desayunar fuera.
How lovely! I wish we had a terrace to have breakfast outside.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
¡Qué bonito! (blank) terraza para desayunar fuera.
Options: Ojalá haya · Ojalá tuviéramos · Ojalá hubiera
Show answer
Nuria
¡Qué bonito! Ojalá tuviéramos terraza para desayunar fuera.
How lovely! I wish we had a terrace to have breakfast outside.
I hope there are (maybe) ojalá haya
Javi
Bueno, ojalá haya buenas vistas desde aquí arriba.
Well, I hope there are good views from up here.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Bueno, (blank) buenas vistas desde aquí arriba.
Options: ojalá tuviéramos · ojalá haya · ojalá hubiera
Show answer
Javi
Bueno, ojalá haya buenas vistas desde aquí arriba.
Well, I hope there are good views from up here.
I hope you like (maybe) ojalá os guste
Your turn
What goes with ojalá os guste?
Options: I wish there were (there isn't) · I wish we had (we don't) · I hope you like (maybe)
Show answer
ojalá os guste → I hope you like (maybe)
views / balcony vistas / balcón
Ramón
Terraza no hay. Pero hay un balcón... pequeñito.
There's no terrace. But there's a balcony... a tiny one.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Terraza no hay. Pero hay un (blank)... pequeñito.
Options: ojalá tuviéramos · balcón · ojalá hubiera
Show answer
Ramón
Terraza no hay. Pero hay un balcón... pequeñito.
There's no terrace. But there's a balcony... a tiny one.
Common mistake
Not haya or hay here. Ramón just said there is no lift.
Ojalá hubiera ascensor... ¡Otra vez un cuarto sin ascensor!
I wish there were a lift... A fourth floor with no lift, again!
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| I wish there were (there isn't) | ojalá hubiera |
|---|---|
| I wish we had (we don't) | ojalá tuviéramos |
| I hope there are (maybe) | ojalá haya |
| I hope you like (maybe) | ojalá os guste |
| views / balcony | vistas / balcón |
More lines from the story
- RamónY ojalá también os guste el precio.And I hope you like the price too.
- Javi¡Miren! Se ve toda la plaza.Look! You can see the whole square.