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Spanish Word of the Day: 'Ojalá'

The Local Spain
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Spanish Word of the Day: 'Ojalá'
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Today's word of the day sees one of the examples of how the Moors' conquest of the Iberian Peninsula influenced the Spanish language.

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Ojalá derives from the Arabic expression 'ma sha allah' meaning should God will it. This gives it a translation of 'hopefully', 'let’s hope so' or 'if only'.

Examples:

When using ojalá as a desire (ojalá que...), and followed by a verb, you will need to use the subjunctive. We have highlighted the subjunctive here below in red.

If only:

  • Dijo que podría traer pizza. - ¡Ojalá!

       She said she could bring pizza. - If only!

Let’s hope:

  • Ojalá que me toque la lotería

       I hope I win the lottery.

  • Ojalá que sí.

       I hope so!

 

Pronunciation:

ooh-kha-lah

Pop song!

Check out a great song that uses ojalá by the group Muchachito, Ojalá no te hubiera conocido nunca.

READ ALSO: Five tricks to help you sound like a native in Spanish

This word of the day has been contributed by LAE Madrid, the leading Spanish academy in Madrid. Accredited by the Insitituto Cervantes, it offers Spanish courses for all levels and also has Spanish classes for kids and families.

Check out our other word of the day posts

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