“Tomara que” vs “Espero que” in Portuguese: Wishes and Subjunctive Meaning

Introduction

Many learners of Portuguese hear the phrases Tomara que and Espero que and wonder if they mean the same thing. Both express wishes and trigger the subjunctive mood, but they have different tones, levels of formality, and contexts of use. This article explains how and when to use Tomara que and Espero que, shows their grammar, gives natural Brazilian Portuguese examples, and highlights cultural notes to help you sound more native.

What these phrases mean and why the subjunctive matters

Tomara que and Espero que both express desire about events that are uncertain or not guaranteed. In Portuguese, when we talk about wishes, hopes, doubts, or anything not concrete, we normally use the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive changes the verb form and signals that the event is not certain.

In short: use Tomara que or Espero que to introduce clauses that require the present subjunctive for present/future situations and the past (imperfect) subjunctive for unlikely or counterfactual contexts in the past.

Basic grammar rule: triggers and the present subjunctive

Both Tomara que and Espero que act as triggers for the present subjunctive in dependent clauses referring to the future or to uncertain events. The general pattern is:

main clause with the trigger + que + subordinate clause in the present subjunctive

Examples with present subjunctive:

Tomara que ele venha amanhã.
Espero que ele venha amanhã.

Here venha is the present subjunctive of vir because coming tomorrow is not certain.

Forming the present subjunctive

To form the present subjunctive for regular verbs:

– For -ar verbs: take the first person singular of the present indicative, drop -o, add -e, -es, -e, -emos, -em. Example: falar → eu falo → que eu fale.

– For -er and -ir verbs: similar process but add -a, -as, -a, -amos, -am. Example: comer → eu como → que eu coma; partir → eu parto → que eu parta.

Irregular verbs follow their own patterns in the present subjunctive: ser → que eu seja; ir → que eu vá; ter → que eu tenha; saber → que eu saiba.

Differences in tone and register

While both phrases are correct, they carry different tones.

Tomara que is more informal, idiomatic, and expressive. It often conveys a strong, almost emotional wish, similar to I hope to God or If only in English. You will hear it frequently in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.

Espero que is more neutral and slightly more formal. It literally means I hope that and is appropriate in most contexts, including written communication and polite conversation.

Examples showing tone

Informal, emotional:

Tomara que chova hoje!
Tomara que dê certo!

Neutral, polite:

Espero que você esteja bem.
Espero que o projeto tenha sucesso.

Nuances of certainty and probability

Although both trigger the subjunctive, speakers sometimes prefer one over the other depending on how likely they think the outcome is. Tomara que often implies a stronger desire and a perception that the event might be unlikely or out of the speaker’s control. Espero que can be used for realistic hopes or polite wishes.

Compare these:

Tomara que ela passe no concurso. (I really hope she passes; it’s not certain and the speaker may feel it’s a long shot.)
Espero que ela passe no concurso. (I hope she passes; a normal expression of hope, more neutral.)

Contractions and common spoken variants

In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, you often hear contractions or reduced speech with Tomara que. For example, people may say Tomara or Tomara mesmo, dropping the que or adding emphasis. With Espero que, you might hear Espero or Espero que sim in quick speech.

Examples:

Tomara que sim! (I hope so!)
Tomara! (Used alone as an exclamation: If only!)
Espero que sim. (I hope so.)

Using the past subjunctive: wishes about the past or unlikely situations

When the wish refers to a past event — something you wanted to happen but didn’t — Portuguese uses the imperfect (past) subjunctive. Both Tomara que and Espero que can introduce the past subjunctive, although Tomara que is less common in formal writing for past regrets.

Past subjunctive forms often end in -sse, -sses, -sse, -ssemos, -ssem for verbs derived from the infinitive. Examples:

Tomara que ele tivesse vindo ontem. (I wish he had come yesterday.)
Espero que ele tivesse avisado. (I hope he had informed us.)

Notes: In spoken Brazilian Portuguese, people often use the pluperfect composed or other constructions instead of the formal past subjunctive. For example: Espero que ele tenha avisado. This is present perfect subjunctive and is used for actions that may have happened in the recent past or whose result matters now.

Negative forms and subjunctive

Negation does not change the need for the subjunctive. If you negate the main clause, the subordinate clause still uses the subjunctive when the event is uncertain or desired.

Examples:

Tomara que não chova amanhã. (I hope it does not rain tomorrow.)
Espero que você não se preocupe. (I hope you do not worry.)

Be careful: in some contexts, negative forms can change meaning. For example, Espero que você não tenha problemas is a polite hope that problems do not exist, while Tomara que não tenhamos problemas expresses a worried wish against the possibility of problems.

When not to use these phrases

Do not use Tomara que or Espero que when you state facts or certainties. For factual statements use indicative mood without these triggers.

Incorrect for facts:

*Tomara que ele tem 30 anos. (wrong)

Correct factual statement:

Ele tem 30 anos.

If you express a wish about yourself in the present or immediate future, you can use the infinitive or other structures instead of these triggers.

Example: Quero descansar hoje. (I want to rest today.) Instead of Tomara que eu descanse hoje — although the latter is possible, it sounds more like a wish rather than a direct intention.

Practical guide: choose the right phrase

Here are simple rules to decide which to use:

– Use Tomara que when you want a strong, emotional, or colloquial wish. It is great in conversation and informal writing.
– Use Espero que for neutral hopes, polite expressions, and formal contexts. It is safe in both spoken and written language.
– Both require the subjunctive in the subordinate clause when referring to uncertain events.

Quick examples for learners

Strong/informal wishes:

Tomara que tudo dê certo!
Tomara que ele ganhe a partida.

Neutral/polite hopes:

Espero que tudo dê certo.
Espero que você consiga o emprego.

Common collocations and expressions

Some fixed expressions use Tomara on its own or combined with adverbs:

Tomara mesmo — used to reinforce a wish.
Tomara que sim — I hope so, often used as a quick response.
Espero que sim — a polite reply meaning I hope so.

Other polite phrases that trigger the subjunctive and are similar in use include Oxalá and Quem sabe. Oxalá is more literary or religious in tone, borrowed from Arabic, and often interchangeable with Tomara que in meaning.

Example:

Oxalá ele esteja bem. (May he be well.)

Cultural notes: register, frequency, and regional flavor

In Brazil, Tomara que appears frequently in everyday speech, songs, and media due to its expressive nature. It feels spontaneous and emotional. Espero que is more restrained and common in formal settings, emails, and when you want to be polite or professional.

Be aware of tone: using Tomara que in a formal email may sound too casual. Conversely, using only Espero que among close friends can sound distant or overly formal. Native speakers mix both depending on the relationship, context, and desired emphasis.

Advanced note: subjunctive after opinions and verbs of emotion

Beyond Tomara que and Espero que, many verbs and expressions of emotion require the subjunctive. Learning the subjunctive with these triggers will help you generalize the pattern. Examples include sentir, desejar, preferir, temer, and duvidar when used in certain senses.

Examples:

Sinto muito que você não possa vir. (I am sorry that you cannot come.)
Desejo que tudo se resolva. (I wish that everything gets resolved.)

Summary of key points

– Both Tomara que and Espero que express wishes and require the subjunctive for uncertain events.
– Tomara que is informal, emotional, and common in speech.
– Espero que is neutral and suitable for formal contexts.
– Use present subjunctive for present/future uncertainty and imperfect/past subjunctive for past wishes or counterfactuals.
– Pay attention to register: choose the phrase that matches your relationship with the listener and the formality of the situation.

Conclusion

Mastering Tomara que and Espero que will make your Portuguese sound more natural and expressive. Both phrases open subordinate clauses that require the subjunctive mood — learning the present and past subjunctive forms is essential. Use Tomara que for emotional, informal wishes, and Espero que for neutral, polite hopes. With exposure to spoken Brazilian Portuguese and practice, choosing the right phrase will become instinctive.