Portuguese Wishes and Regrets: Independent Subjunctive (Subjuntivo Independente)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the subjunctive without a trigger verb to express wishes, regrets, or commands that stand alone.
- Use 'Quem dera' + imperfect subjunctive for impossible wishes: 'Quem dera eu soubesse.'
- Use present subjunctive for third-person commands: 'Que venha o sol!'
- Use 'Oxalá' or 'Tomara' to introduce hopeful independent wishes: 'Tomara que chova.'
Overview
Have you ever seen a Portuguese sentence that starts with Que and ends with an exclamation mark, but seems to be missing its main verb? In high-end, literary Portuguese, we often ditch the 'I wish' or 'I hope' part. We let the subjunctive mood stand all by itself.
It's like wearing a tuxedo to a backyard BBQ; it's fancy, unexpected, and very cool. This isn't just for dusty old books from the 1800s. You'll hear it in dramatic Fado songs.
You'll see it in poetic Instagram captions. You might even hear a grandmother use it to bless you or curse a politician. It is the language of pure emotion.
It skips the logical setup and goes straight to the heart. It's the ultimate C2 flex for your Portuguese skills. If you want to sound like a Lisbon poet or a Brazilian novelist, this is your secret weapon.
Just don't use it to order a burger, or the waiter might think you're performing a Shakespeare play. Let's look at how this 'missing link' grammar actually works in the real world.
How This Grammar Works
que or embora. But in literary and emphatic speech, we can cut the umbilical cord.querer or esperar to tell it what to do. It functions as the main verb of the sentence. This usually happens to express a wish, a command, or a doubt.Que sejas feliz!, your brain is secretly thinking Desejo que sejas feliz. By removing the 'I wish' part, the focus shifts entirely to the sentiment itself.que, oxalá, or quem me dera to set the stage. Sometimes, it doesn't even need those; it just uses a specific word order.Formation Pattern
Que followed by the Present Subjunctive. Example: Que tenhas sorte! (May you have luck!).
Quem me dera followed by the Personal Infinitive or Imperfect Subjunctive. Example: Quem me dera ser rico! (If only I were rich!).
Oxalá followed by the Present or Future Subjunctive. Example: Oxalá venhas logo. (Hopefully, you'll come soon.).
Pudesse eu voar... (Could I but fly...).
Entre o primeiro candidato. (Let the first candidate enter.).
Que + Subjunctive to express disbelief. Example: Que ele tenha feito isso! (To think he did that!).
Que ela seja bem-vinda vs Que ele seja bem-vindo.
When To Use It
Deus te ouça (May God hear you), you're using an independent subjunctive.Que a paz prevaleça (May peace prevail). Use it for Deep Regrets.Quem me dera não ter visto isso. It's also vital for Formal/Literary Commands. If you're writing a screenplay and a king orders a guard, he says Saia daqui! (Get out of here!).Tomara que. Use it in Job Interviews when you want to sound sophisticated.Oxalá possamos colaborar. It shows you have a high level of linguistic control. It's also great for Streaming/Movies.Que a terra te seja leve. It’s morbid, but grammatically beautiful. Just don't curse your Uber driver like that if the car is a bit messy.Common Mistakes
Que você é feliz instead of Que você seja feliz sounds like a statement of fact, not a wish. It's the difference between 'You are happy' and 'May you be happy.' Another trap is forgetting the particle Que. While some phrases work without it (Viva o Brasil!), most wishes need that little Que to trigger the subjunctive mood. Don't mix up Oxalá and Tomara. Oxalá is very formal and slightly religious; Tomara is the cool, casual cousin used in Brazil. Using Oxalá in a casual WhatsApp group might make you look like you're 200 years old. Another classic error is the Tense Mismatch. Don't use the Present Subjunctive for a past regret. Quem me dera que ele venha sounds like you're wishing for the future, but Quem me dera usually looks at what isn't true right now. You should use the Imperfect: Quem me dera que ele viesse. Finally, watch out for Inversion. In literary styles like Pudesse eu..., if you put the eu first (Eu pudesse...), the dramatic effect vanishes. It just sounds like a broken sentence. It’s like a joke without a punchline. Keep the verb first to keep the drama high. If you mess it up, don't worry. Even native speakers struggle with the super-fancy literary stuff sometimes. Just keep your head up and que não desistas!.Contrast With Similar Patterns
Eu espero (trigger) que tu venhas (subjunctive). Independent usage is like a solo performance. There is no trigger verb.Desejo que tenhas um bom dia (Standard/Formal) with Que tenhas um bom dia! (Independent/Friendly/Punchy). The second one is much more common in texts and cards.Faz o teu trabalho!. The Jussive Subjunctive is a more 'distanced' or formal command: Que cada um faça o seu trabalho.Eu gostaria de ir (I would like to go).Quem me dera ir, it's much more emotional. The Conditional is a logical possibility; the Independent Subjunctive is a deep, often impossible, longing. It's the difference between 'I'd like to win the lottery' and 'IF ONLY I won the lottery!'.Quick FAQ
Is Oxalá still used?
Yes, especially in Portugal and in literature. It's like saying 'God willing' but fancier.
Can I use this for bad wishes?
Absolutely! Que te partas todo! is a classic (but mean) curse. Use with caution!
Why not just use Tomara que?
You can! Tomara que is the most common way to do this in Brazil. Que by itself is just more 'literary.'
Does the subject always go after the verb?
Only in very formal 'Inverted' styles like Pudesse ele.... Usually, it's Que ele possa....
Can I use this in a business email?
Yes, to sound very polite. Que este ano seja de sucesso para todos is a great closing.
Is this the same as the Imperative?
No. The Imperative is for 'You.' The Jussive Subjunctive can be for 'He/She/They.'
What if I forget the subjunctive ending?
You'll sound like you're making a weird statement. Que ele vem sounds like 'That he is coming... (and then?)'.
Is it okay to use this on TikTok?
Sure! If you're being dramatic or poetic, it's perfect for captions.
Subjunctive Tense Selection
| Particle | Tense | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
Tomara que
|
Present Subjunctive
|
Future hope
|
|
Quem dera
|
Imperfect Subjunctive
|
Impossible wish
|
|
Oxalá
|
Present/Imperfect
|
Formal hope
|
|
Que
|
Present Subjunctive
|
Command/Wish
|
Meanings
The independent subjunctive allows speakers to express wishes, regrets, or commands without needing a preceding main clause.
Impossible Wish
Expressing a desire for something that is currently impossible.
“Quem dera eu fosse rico.”
“Quem dera o tempo parasse.”
Hopeful Desire
Expressing a strong hope for a future outcome.
“Tomara que tudo dê certo.”
“Oxalá tenhamos sucesso.”
Third-Person Command
Giving a command or wish for a third party.
“Que ele saia logo!”
“Que venham os convidados!”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Tomara que + Present Subj.
|
Tomara que ele venha.
|
|
Negative
|
Tomara que não + Present Subj.
|
Tomara que não chova.
|
|
Regret
|
Quem dera + Imperfect Subj.
|
Quem dera eu soubesse.
|
|
Command
|
Que + Present Subj.
|
Que ele faça isso.
|
|
Formal
|
Oxalá + Present Subj.
|
Oxalá tenhamos sucesso.
|
Formality Spectrum
Oxalá ele venha. (Social)
Tomara que ele venha. (Social)
Tomara que ele venha. (Social)
Tomara que ele encoste. (Social)
Independent Subjunctive Map
Wishes
- Tomara que I hope
Regrets
- Quem dera I wish
Commands
- Que Let
Examples by Level
Tomara que chova.
I hope it rains.
Tomara que dê certo.
I hope it works out.
Tomara que ele venha.
I hope he comes.
Tomara que gostem.
I hope they like it.
Tomara que não atrase.
I hope it doesn't get delayed.
Tomara que tenhamos tempo.
I hope we have time.
Tomara que ela ligue.
I hope she calls.
Tomara que seja barato.
I hope it is cheap.
Quem dera eu soubesse a resposta.
I wish I knew the answer.
Quem dera o tempo voltasse.
I wish time would turn back.
Que todos tenham um bom dia.
May everyone have a good day.
Quem dera eu pudesse ir.
I wish I could go.
Oxalá tenhamos paz no futuro.
I hope we have peace in the future.
Que se divirtam na festa!
Have fun at the party!
Quem dera tivéssemos mais recursos.
I wish we had more resources.
Que ele saia imediatamente.
Let him leave immediately.
Quem dera a vida fosse tão simples.
I wish life were that simple.
Oxalá a justiça prevaleça.
May justice prevail.
Que se saiba a verdade.
Let the truth be known.
Quem dera tivéssemos agido antes.
I wish we had acted sooner.
Quem dera o destino fosse maleável.
I wish destiny were malleable.
Oxalá não nos falte coragem.
May we not lack courage.
Que se cumpra o prometido.
Let what was promised be fulfilled.
Quem dera pudéssemos reescrever o passado.
I wish we could rewrite the past.
Easily Confused
Learners often use the conditional (teria) instead of the imperfect subjunctive (tivesse) with 'Quem dera'.
Learners use the indicative (venho) instead of the subjunctive (venha) after 'Tomara que'.
Learners think they always need a trigger verb.
Common Mistakes
Tomara eu venha
Tomara que eu venha
Tomara que ele vem
Tomara que ele venha
Quem dera eu soubo
Quem dera eu soubesse
Tomara que chove
Tomara que chova
Quem dera eu tenho dinheiro
Quem dera eu tivesse dinheiro
Que ele vai
Que ele vá
Tomara que ele foi
Tomara que ele vá
Oxalá eu tenho
Oxalá eu tenha
Quem dera eu teria
Quem dera eu tivesse
Que ele faz
Que ele faça
Quem dera eu teria ido
Quem dera eu tivesse ido
Oxalá ele virá
Oxalá ele venha
Que se saiba a verdade
Que se saiba a verdade
Quem dera eu souber
Quem dera eu soubesse
Sentence Patterns
Tomara que ___ aconteça.
Quem dera eu ___ mais tempo.
Que ___ a paz.
Oxalá ___ um dia melhor.
Real World Usage
Que seja um ano incrível!
Tomara que dê certo!
Oxalá possamos colaborar.
Tomara que o voo não atrase.
Tomara que chegue quente!
Que a paz reine entre nós.
The 'Que' Rule
Don't use Indicative
Master 'Quem dera'
Oxalá vs Tomara
Smart Tips
Use 'Tomara que' + Present Subjunctive.
Use 'Quem dera' + Imperfect Subjunctive.
Use 'Que' + Present Subjunctive.
Use 'Oxalá' instead of 'Tomara'.
Pronunciation
Subjunctive endings
Ensure the 'e' or 'a' endings are clear to distinguish from indicative.
Exclamatory
Tomara que venha! ↑
High pitch at the end to show emotion.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Tomara is for tomorrow (hope), Quem dera is for the past (regret).
Visual Association
Imagine a 'Tomara' cloud raining hope for the future, and a 'Quem dera' mirror showing a past you wish you could change.
Rhyme
Tomara que venha o sol de amanhã, Quem dera o passado fosse um talismã.
Story
Maria looks at the sky and says 'Tomara que não chova' (hope). Then she looks at her old photos and sighs 'Quem dera eu fosse jovem de novo' (regret). Finally, she tells her dog 'Que você fique aqui' (command).
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences: one hope for tomorrow, one regret about yesterday, and one command for your pet.
Cultural Notes
'Tomara' is extremely common in daily speech, often used as a standalone interjection.
'Oxalá' is more frequently used in literary and formal contexts compared to Brazil.
The usage is similar to Portugal, with a preference for formal structures in public discourse.
The independent subjunctive stems from the Latin optative mood, which expressed wishes.
Conversation Starters
O que você deseja para o futuro?
Se você pudesse mudar algo no passado, o que seria?
Como você daria uma ordem formal para alguém sair?
Qual é o seu maior desejo hoje?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Tomara que ele ___ (vir) logo.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Tomara que ele foi à festa.
Ele vem. (Make it a wish)
Can 'Quem dera' be followed by the indicative?
A: Amanhã temos prova. B: ___!
Order: (que / Tomara / venha / ele)
Quem dera eu ___ (ter) mais tempo.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesTomara que ele ___ (vir) logo.
Which sentence is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Tomara que ele foi à festa.
Ele vem. (Make it a wish)
Can 'Quem dera' be followed by the indicative?
A: Amanhã temos prova. B: ___!
Order: (que / Tomara / venha / ele)
Quem dera eu ___ (ter) mais tempo.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises___ possamos viajar no próximo mês.
If only I were there!
convidados / entrem / Que / os
Choose the correct phrase:
Oxalá ele virá amanhã.
Match the following:
Que ___ luz!
Which one sounds more natural in Brazil?
voar / eu / Pudesse
May you be very successful.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
The subjunctive expresses subjectivity, wishes, and emotions, which are the core of these independent constructions.
In very informal speech, sometimes, but it is grammatically incorrect. Always use 'que'.
No, it is a general particle for hope, though it has religious roots.
'Tomara' is for future hopes, 'Quem dera' is for past regrets or impossible wishes.
Only if the tone is very formal and you are expressing a professional hope, like 'Oxalá possamos colaborar'.
Because it expresses a hypothetical or contrary-to-fact situation.
Yes, 'Que' can be used alone to express wishes or commands.
Just add 'não' before the verb: 'Tomara que não chova'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ojalá que + subjuntivo
The particles are slightly different, but the logic is the same.
Pourvu que + subjonctif
French has fewer independent subjunctive structures than Portuguese.
Konjunktiv II
German relies more on modal particles and word order.
～てほしい (te hoshii)
Japanese uses morphology (verb endings) rather than mood.
希望 (xīwàng)
Chinese is an isolating language with no verb conjugation.
إن شاء الله (Inshallah)
Arabic is highly inflected but uses different structures for wishes.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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