How to Say "i wish" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “i wish” is “deseo” — use 'deseo' when expressing a general hope or want for someone or something, often in a more formal context or when stating a positive aspiration..
deseo
/deh-SEH-oh//deˈseo/
Examples
Te deseo un feliz cumpleaños.
I wish you a happy birthday.
Te deseo mucha suerte en el examen.
I wish you a lot of luck on the exam.
Deseo que tengas un viaje maravilloso.
I wish for you to have a wonderful trip.
¿Qué desea tomar?
What would you like to drink? (polite, used by staff)
A Key to Unlock a Special Verb Form
When you say you wish for someone else to do something, the next verb often changes its ending. This special form is called the subjunctive. Notice the change: 'Deseo que tengas un buen día.' (I wish for you to have a good day.)
'Deseo' vs. 'Quiero'
Mistake: “Using 'Deseo un café' to order coffee in a casual cafe.”
Correction: It's better to say 'Quiero un café.' 'Deseo' can sound a bit too formal or dramatic for simple, everyday wants. 'Quiero' is your normal, go-to verb for 'I want'.
ojalá
oh-hah-LAH/o.xaˈla/
Examples
¡Ojalá que llueva pronto!
Hopefully, it rains soon!
¡Ojalá ganemos el partido hoy!
Hopefully we win the game today!
Ojalá que no llueva este fin de semana.
I wish it doesn't rain this weekend.
Ojalá hubieras venido con nosotros anoche.
If only you had come with us last night.
Always Requires the Subjunctive
'Ojalá' is one of the most reliable triggers for the 'wish verb form' (the Subjunctive mood). Since it expresses a hope or desire rather than a fact, the verb following it must change form.
Optional 'Que'
You can use 'Ojalá' by itself, or followed by 'que' (Ojalá que...). Both versions are perfectly correct and common, but 'ojalá' alone is sometimes seen as slightly more direct.
Forgetting the Subjunctive
Mistake: “Ojalá viene mi hermano.”
Correction: Ojalá venga mi hermano. ('Venga' is the correct wish form for 'venir').
quisiera
/kee-see-EH-rah//kiˈsje.ɾa/
Examples
Quisiera viajar por todo el mundo.
I wish I could travel the whole world.
Quisiera ser astronauta, pero es solo un sueño.
I wish I were an astronaut, but it's just a dream.
Si tuviera más tiempo, quisiera aprender a tocar la guitarra.
If I had more time, I would want to learn to play the guitar.
¡Quién quisiera estar en la playa ahora mismo!
I wish I were on the beach right now! (Literally: Who would want to be...)
Expressing 'If Only...'
You can use 'quisiera' to talk about dreams or things you'd do in an imaginary situation. It's often used in sentences that start with 'si' (if) to set up the imaginary scenario.
The Right Partner for 'Si'
Mistake: “Si tendría dinero, quisiera comprar un coche.”
Correction: Si tuviera dinero, quisiera comprar un coche. After 'si' (if) when talking about hypotheticals, you need a special verb form like 'tuviera' (imperfect subjunctive), not 'tendría' (conditional).
Choosing Between 'Ojalá' and 'Quisiera'
Related Translations
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