quem me dera

If Only (Quem Me Dera)

Level 5

Quem me dera is a fixed phrase used to express a deep longing for something that is currently not true or is very unlikely to happen. It is the Portuguese equivalent of 'If only' or 'I wish' when the speaker feels a sense of regret or impossibility.

How It Works

To become proficient in using quem me dera, note these common structures:

  • Infinitive (Common for Self): Often used when the subject of the wish is the speaker.
    Quem me dera viajar agora. (I wish I were traveling now.)
  • Subjunctive (Emphasis/Different Subjects): Use 'que' + Imperfect Subjunctive for unlikely present/future scenarios.
    Quem me dera que fizesse sol. (If only it were sunny.)
  • Personal Infinitive: Can also be used to refer to others.
    Quem me dera eles terem juízo. (I wish they had some sense.)
  • Past Regret: Use 'que' + Mais-Que-Perfeito do Subjuntivo.
    Quem me dera que tivéssemos ganhado. (I wish we had won.)

Core Concept: The word dera is actually the Mais-Que-Perfeito Simples (Pluperfect Indicative) of the verb dar. While it literally translates to "who had given me," it functions as a fixed expression for counterfactual or highly unlikely desires.

Pronoun Variation: While usually used with 'me', you can say Quem te dera! to mean 'You wish!' or 'In your dreams!'

Regional Note: In Brazil, the 'me' and 'que' are often dropped (e.g., Quem dera eu fosse...). Unlike esperar que, this expression is reserved for counterfactual or highly improbable scenarios.

Examples (5)

  1. Quem me dera ser milionário!

    I wish I were a millionaire!

    Word by Word: Who to-me would-have-given to-be millionaire!

    Uses the infinitive 'ser' because the speaker is the subject of the wish.

  2. Quem me dera que o tempo passasse mais devagar.

    If only time would pass more slowly.

    Word by Word: Who to-me would-have-given that the time passed more slowly.

    Uses 'que' followed by the imperfect subjunctive 'passasse' because the subject is 'o tempo'.

  3. Quem me dera que tu tivesses vindo ontem.

    I wish you had come yesterday.

    Word by Word: Who to-me would-have-given that you had come yesterday.

    Uses the pluperfect subjunctive 'tivesses vindo' to express regret about a past event.

  4. — Vou ganhar a lotaria amanhã. — Quem te dera!

    — I'm going to win the lottery tomorrow. — You wish!

    Word by Word: — Go to-win the lottery tomorrow. — Who to-you would-have-given!

    The pronoun 'te' changes the meaning to 'You wish!' or 'In your dreams!'

  5. Quem dera eu tivesse ouvido o seu conselho.

    I wish I had listened to your advice.

    Word by Word: Who would-have-given I had heard the your advice.

    A common Brazilian construction dropping 'me' and 'que', using the pluperfect subjunctive for past regret.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the present subjunctive instead of the imperfect subjunctive.

    Quem me dera que ele venha amanhã.
    Quem me dera que ele viesse amanhã.

    Because 'quem me dera' expresses an unlikely or counterfactual wish, it requires the imperfect subjunctive (viesse) rather than the present (venha).

  • Translating 'I wish' literally as 'Eu desejo' for wistful longings.

    Eu desejo que eu fosse rico.
    Quem me dera ser rico.

    'Desejar' is a formal statement of intent or a specific request. For wistful, 'if only' style wishes, 'quem me dera' is the natural idiomatic choice.

Words in This Pattern

quem me dera