How to express dreams and wishes in Spanish

Dreams, as magical as they are powerful, are the driving force that incessantly propels all human beings. What would we be without them? Being able to express desires in Spanish is an essential skill for every student of this beautiful language. However, at times, it can be quite a challenge. Don’t worry! That’s what we’re here for!

If you want to learn how to communicate your aspirations, you’re in the right place! Below, we’ll teach you how to express desires in Spanish effectively. Let’s get started!

Mastering the Subjunctive

Of the three verb moods that exist (imperative, subjunctive, indicative), the subjunctive is the most appropriate for communicating our aspirations. This verb mood is commonly used to express uncertainty, probabilities, make suggestions, and, of course, express wishes or feelings.

Here are some subjunctive phrases to express desires in Spanish:

• Ojalá:

Ojalá me den ese trabajo que tanto he querido.
Ojalá pueda comprar un carro este año.

• Espero que:

Espero que pueda aprender a expresar sueños en español.
Espero que todo este esfuerzo valga la pena.

• Quisiera que:

Quisiera que mis padres pudieran viajar a México por su aniversario.
Quisiera que estuvieras aquí conmigo.

• Ojalá y:

Ojalá y mi novia se convierta en mi esposa.
Ojalá y no llueva hoy.

• Me gustaría que:

Me gustaría que mis amigos vinieran a mi boda.
Me gustaría verte el fin de semana.

Key Vocabulary

We’ve seen how the subjunctive can be used to express desires in Spanish. However, when we talk about our deepest and most intense dreams, these words are the most appropriate:

• Sueño

This is probably the most important word on the list. We use it to refer to things that are truly important in our lives.

Examples:
Mi sueño es ser padre de trillizas.
Mi sueño es viajar por todo el mundo.

• Deseo

We use this word to refer to a particularly special aspiration.

Examples:
Deseo ser el mejor estudiante de español de la clase.
Deseo con todas mis fuerzas ser doctor.

• Anhelo

Anhelo is also a kind of very personal and intense desire.

Examples:
Mi anhelo es envejecer junto al amor de mi vida.
No sabes cuánto anhelo volverte a ver.

• Aspiración

Aspirations are goals or particularly important objectives.

Examples:
Mi aspiración es convertirme en el vendedor número uno de la empresa.
Una de mis aspiraciones es ser una buena madre.

Identifying Mistakes

Congratulations! You’re now a bit closer to knowing how to express dreams in Spanish effectively. Still, in order to share your deepest desires and wishes with the world, it’s essential to learn how to identify and correct common mistakes.

Take note!

• Replacing "Esperar que" with "Esperar por":
  Incorrect: Espero por que vengas a mi cumpleaños.
  Correct: Espero que vengas a mi cumpleaños.
• Using "Ojalá" without subjunctive:
  Incorrect: Ojalá mañana te veo en clases.
  Correct: Ojalá mañana te vea en clases.
• Using "Quisiera" with indicative:
  Incorrect: Quisiera que tu pruebas lo que cociné.
  Correct: Quisiera que tú pruebes lo que cociné.
• Confusing "Desear" with "necesitar":
  Incorrect: Necesito que mi hijo es ingeniero.
  Correct: Deseo que mi hijo sea ingeniero.
• Using "Ojalá" with future verbs:
  Incorrect: Ojalá mi mamá llegará temprano a casa.
  Correct: Ojalá mi mamá llegue temprano a casa.
• Using "Desear" with indicative:
  Incorrect: Deseo que cumples todos tus sueños.
  Correct: Deseo que cumplas todos tus sueños.

General Tips

Are you feeling prepared to express dreams in Spanish like a native speaker? Excellent! But if not, don’t worry! Take advantage of the tips we’ll provide below; they will surely be very helpful!

• Practice the subjunctive: Remember that the subjunctive is the ideal verb mood for expressing wishes or feelings. Therefore, we cannot expect to master the art of expressing desires in Spanish without familiarizing ourselves with this verb mood. Practice conjugating verbs in the subjunctive, for example:
  Yo haga, tú sepas, ella vaya, él venga, nosotros veamos, ellos oigan.
• Surround yourself with the language: Thanks to its high effectiveness, this is one of the most common pieces of advice. Watch movies, read books, and listen to music in Spanish. For example, if you want to reinforce your skills in expressing dreams and desires, check out the song “Ojalá” by Silvio Rodríguez. It will be useful!
• Practice with your own dreams: Make a list of your dreams and desires, ensuring that you apply the conjugations of the subjunctive, in addition to the grammatical structures explained in this article.
• Get constant feedback: Make sure to get regular feedback from your Spanish teachers, friends, and Spanish-speaking family members. Having timely corrections is always beneficial.

Congratulations! Now you have enough tools to communicate your aspirations effectively. However, it’s your turn to practice. Take advantage of all the information we’ve shared with you and tell the whole world about those dreams that keep you awake every night. Practice a lot, receive constant feedback, and of course, never stop fighting for your dreams! See you next time!