quem me dera/tomara que + Subjunctive
Subjuntivo Exclamativo
Quem me dera (I wish/If only) and Tomara que (I hope/I wish) are used to express desires. The choice of tense determines if the wish is possible or impossible.
How It Works
In Portuguese, expressing a wish often requires specific fossilized expressions that trigger the subjunctive mood. Although dera and tomara look like the Mais-Que-Perfeito Simples (Pluperfect), they function here as modal markers of desire.
1. Quem me dera
This expression is used for wistful longing or impossible dreams. While me is most common, the pronoun can change (e.g., Quem nos dera). It is followed by the Imperfect Subjunctive or a direct Infinitive.
• Quem me dera ser rico. (I wish I were rich)
• Idiomatic use: Quem te dera! is a common sarcastic retort meaning "You wish!" or "In your dreams!"
2. Tomara que
Very common in Brazil for emphatic hope.
• Tomara que + Present Subjunctive: A possible hope for the future (e.g., Tomara que chova).
• Standalone: You can simply say Tomara! to mean "I hope so!"
3. Regional Differences
In Portugal, Tomara que is less frequent. Speakers often use Oxalá (which is formal/literary in Brazil) or the construction Tomara + [pronoun]. In European Portuguese, this construction typically takes the Infinitive (e.g., Tomara eu saber a resposta - "I wish I knew the answer"). Crucially, Oxalá is used without the conjunction que (e.g., Oxalá chova).
Examples (6)
- Quem me dera que eu pudesse viajar agora.
I wish I could travel right now.
Word by Word: Who to me would give that I could travel now.
Uses 'Quem me dera' with the imperfect subjunctive 'pudesse' to express a wish that is not currently possible.
- Tomara que você consiga o emprego!
I hope you get the job!
Word by Word: May it take that you get the job!
Uses 'Tomara que' with the present subjunctive 'consiga' to express a realistic hope for the future.
- Quem me dera ter a sua coragem.
I wish I had your courage.
Word by Word: Who to me would give to have the your courage.
When the subject of the wish is the speaker, 'Quem me dera' can be followed directly by an infinitive.
- Tomara que o tempo melhore amanhã.
I hope the weather improves tomorrow.
Word by Word: May it take that the weather improves tomorrow.
A common way to express a strong hope using the present subjunctive.
- Quem me dera que eles tivessem chegado a tempo.
If only they had arrived on time.
Word by Word: Who to me would give that they had arrived in time.
To express regret about a past event that did not happen, 'Quem me dera' is used with the Mais-Que-Perfeito do Subjuntivo.
- — Você acha que vamos ganhar? — Tomara!
— Do you think we're going to win? — I hope so!
Word by Word: — You think that we go to win? — May it take!
'Tomara!' functions as a standalone interjection to express 'I hope so!' in response to someone else.
Common Mistakes
Using the indicative mood after 'Tomara que'.
Tomara que ele vem logo.Tomara que ele venha logo.Expressions of wish and hope like 'Tomara que' always trigger the subjunctive mood, never the indicative.
Using the present subjunctive with 'Quem me dera'.
Quem me dera que ele ganhe.Quem me dera que ele ganhasse.'Quem me dera' implies an unreal or remote situation, which requires the Imperfect Subjunctive, not the Present.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To learn this pattern, you need to understand how the subjunctive mood functions to express desires and hypothetical situations. Specifically, you must be familiar with the Imperfeito do Subjuntivo forms, as they are the most common complements for 'quem me dera' when expressing longing for something that isn't currently true. Additionally, recognizing the reflexive pronoun 'me' within the fixed phrase is essential for correct usage.
- -asse/-asses/-asse/-ássemos/-ásseis/-assemImperfeito Do Subjuntivo -AR
The expression 'quem me dera' is frequently paired with the Imperfeito do Subjuntivo to express regret or hypothetical wishes about the present or past.
Level 4 - tomara que + SubjunctiveTomara Com Subjuntivo
This is the base construction for expressing hope, which 'quem me dera' builds upon as a more idiomatic or emphatic variation.
Level 3 - me/te/se/nos/vos/seReflexive Pronouns
Understanding the reflexive pronoun 'me' is necessary to parse the fixed expression 'quem me dera'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- esperar que + SubjunctiveSubjuntivo Com Esperança
'Esperar que' is a neutral way to express hope, whereas 'Tomara que' is more emphatic and exclamatory.
Level 3 - querer que + SubjunctiveSubjuntivo Com Desejo
Both express desires, but 'Querer que' is a standard verb construction while 'Quem me dera' is a fixed idiomatic expression.
Level 3 - se + Imperfect Subjunctive + ConditionalCondição Irreal (Presente)
Both patterns deal with hypothetical or unreal situations in the present/future.
Level 4 - falara/falaras/falara/faláramos/falaramMais-Que-Perfeito Simples
The words 'dera' and 'tomara' are etymologically derived from this tense, though they no longer function as past tenses in these expressions.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice quem me dera/tomara que + Subjunctive in Bubblegum
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