Ojalá no fuera así

Question

Is this "I hope it wasn't like that" or "Thank goodness it wasn't like that" or does it totally depend on context? Gracias

"Ojalá" needs an accent. :-) - --Mariana--, Sep 26, 2010

Great answers so far guys. ;) - jeezzle, Sep 26, 2010

Answer 1

Van a aumentar los impuestos, ojalá no fuera así. El perro de mi amiga esta muy enfermo, ojala no fuera así. In both cases express a wish. You can replace the phrase with: "Quisiera que no fuera asi".

Answer 2

While were discussing this meaning, could someone explain the English rules for me.

I wish that it were....(is were subjunctive in English)?

I wish that it was...(is was indicative in English)?

and since ojalá requires the subjunctive after it......?????

"I wish that it were/was" are both considered correct today, but "were" is preferred (subjunctive) - pesta, Sep 26, 2010

Answer 3

Loa:

I understand your response when you said:

"Ojalá no fuera así" would be "I hope it wasn't like that"

How would you express "Thank goodness it wasn't like that"?

Thank you for your answers.

Yo diria, "gracias a Dios no fue asi. - Av41500803, Sep 26, 2010

Yes, that's exactly what I'd translate to, gracias a Dios no fue así - LoaEtayo, Sep 26, 2010

Answer 4

In my opinion it depends on what do you think in English... For me, "I hope it wasn't like that" means "it is like that, but it would be better if it wasn't that way", and "Thank goodness it wasn't like that" means "hopefully it wasn't like that".

If that distintion is not just for me, but for everyone, "Ojalá no fuera así" would be "I hope it wasn't like that", because in Spanish it does mean it is like that.

Please, let me know if I'm wrong...

No offense but both of your English interpretations are incorrect. "I hope it wasn't like that" = I hope it wasn't like it seemed / like you said. "Thank goodness it wasn't like that" = I'm glad that it wasn't like that / wasn't a bad thing. - jeezzle, Sep 26, 2010

Answer 5

I immediately thought of both meanings when I read the title of your question.

Let's see what the natives and advanced speakers have to say.

Answer 6

Looks to me like I wish [that} it weren't so. (put the that in there when you make it Ojalá que no fuera así.)

que is optional with Ojalá - BellaMargarita, Sep 26, 2010

I know, but thanks. I just meant if he said ojalá que... to include the "that" - 0074b507, Sep 26, 2010