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ojalá

This word comes from Arabic and is the everyday way to express hope in Spanish.

Quick answer

ojalá

Natural: I hope so / hopefully
Literal: “may God will it”

How it is used

¡Ojalá!I hope so!
Ojalá venga mañana.I hope he comes tomorrow.
Ojalá que tengas suerte.I hope you have luck.
Ojalá pudiera ir.I wish I could go.

Where it is said

It is used across the whole Spanish-speaking world, and the optional <b>que</b> after it is more common in Latin America.

A mini dialogue

— Dicen que mañana hace sol.— They say it will be sunny tomorrow.
— ¡Ojalá!— I hope so!

Watch out

ojalá

It always takes the subjunctive, so ojalá viene is wrong; say ojalá venga.

Check yourself

Which sentence is correct?

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