ojala`

Question

i need much more explaination for the word (ojala`) especially what does it mean for latin americans

Answer 1

As I understand it, the expression comes from the Arabic where a person is saying "Oh,
Allah". It means "Oh, god" (At least that is what I was told).

I have often heard it used to mean "god willing". Imagine someone wishes you good luck with winning the lottery. Your response would be "Ojala" or "god willing".

Answer 2

desear que tal cosa sea
desear que tal cosa pase
frequently used at the beginning of a friendly letter (as oppose to a business letter)
Ojalá estes bien cuando recibas ésta carta.
Ojalá! te ganes la loteria. Ojala

Answer 3

As Jerry said this came into the language from the Moors and although it's original meaning was 'god willing' it is used now I think without any religious overtones: e.g.'lets hope' 'hopefully' íf only
With goose's ...er gus's example, ojalá te ganes el lotería, might be then....let´s hope you win the lottery (and so ojala is followed by the subjunctive) I think ojala and ojalá can both be used.

I think the use in america is the same...

Answer 4

Same use everywhere:

ojalá (que) + subjunctive = I hope that... Hopefully... Let's hope...

Don't believe what they tell you about American Spanish vs Spanish from Spain. The main difference is the pronunciation, but in terms of vocabulary and constructions, the differences are between one country and another, and even among regions and parts of the same city, not between America and Spain.

Answer 5

ojala = i wish. inshala=God Willing

Answer 6

Since 'ojalá' came from the Moors, is it used more frequently in southern Spain'

Answer 7

no, it is not. I might get hit by this answer.
People in Mexico and Guatemala use it a lot. I never been to Spain, I would like to go one day and research my name Gómez.

Mark W said:

Since 'ojalá' came from the Moors, is it used more frequently in southern Spain?

>

Answer 8

It is from the Arabic and it means - "Oh that God . . ." The reference is to Allah and came about during the Moor invasion of Spain.

Hopes this helps.

Ray C.