How to Use “Tomara que” in Portuguese for Hopes and Wishes

Introduction

Tomara que is a common expression in Brazilian Portuguese used to express hopes, wishes, and sometimes fears. It pairs naturally with the subjunctive mood and appears in everyday conversations, songs, and writing. This article explains how to use tomara que correctly, shows real examples, and highlights regional and stylistic notes for learners.

What does tomara que mean?

Tomara que literally comes from the verb tomar, but its current meaning is idiomatic: it expresses hope or desire that something will happen. In English it often corresponds to I hope, let’s hope, or hopefully. It conveys expectation and can be optimistic, tentative, or even anxious depending on context and intonation.

Basic sense

When you want to say you wish for something or hope an outcome, use tomara que before a verb in the subjunctive:
Tomara que chova amanhã.
This equals I hope it rains tomorrow.

Grammar structure: tomara que + subjunctive

The key grammatical rule is that tomara que is followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. In Brazilian Portuguese the subjunctive appears in three tenses that you will use with tomara que: present, past (imperfect), and present perfect (rarely).

Present subjunctive (expressing current or future hopes)

Use the present subjunctive to express hope about present or future situations. Structure: tomara que + present subjunctive. Examples:

Tomara que você consiga o emprego.
Tomara que ele chegue a tempo.

Present subjunctive conjugation examples (verb conseguir):
eu consiga, você consiga, nós consigamos, eles consigam.

Imperfect subjunctive (expressing unlikely or counterfactual wishes)

Use the imperfect subjunctive to express wishes that are unlikely, hypothetical, or contrary to fact, often with a tone of regret or imagination. Structure: tomara que + imperfect subjunctive. Examples:

Tomara que ele viesse mais cedo, mas não dá.
Tomara que você tivesse mais tempo para viajar.

Imperfect subjunctive conjugation examples (verb vir):
eu viesse, você viesse, nós viéssemos, eles viessem.

Perfect subjunctive and other nuances

The perfect subjunctive is less common after tomara que, but it can appear when you want to express hope about a completed action:
Tomara que ele tenha ligado.
Literal meaning: I hope he has called. Most learners will focus on present and imperfect subjunctive first.

How to choose the subjunctive tense

Deciding between present and imperfect subjunctive depends on time reference and likelihood.

Present subjunctive when the hope is realistic

Use present subjunctive when you think the outcome is possible or likely. It refers to present or future events that can realistically happen. Examples:

Tomara que não chova hoje.
Tomara que ela passe no exame.

Imperfect subjunctive for wishes about the past or unreal situations

Use the imperfect subjunctive when the wish refers to something in the past, or when you are expressing a hypothetical or unlikely desire. Examples:

Tomara que eu tivesse estudado mais.
Tomara que você soubesse a verdade.

Tone and context

The speaker’s tone affects meaning. A bright, rising tone often signals genuine hope. A softer, wistful tone signals regret or longing. In casual speech, listeners rely on context to decide whether the wish is realistic or hypothetical.

Examples with common verbs

Below are practical examples showing tomara que with a variety of everyday verbs.

Tomara que + estar

Tomara que ele esteja bem.
Tomara que você esteja pronto para a reunião.

Tomara que + vir

Tomara que ela venha à festa.
Tomara que eles venham logo.

Tomara que + poder

Tomara que eu possa ir nas férias.
Tomara que você possa resolver o problema.

Tomara que + conseguir

Tomara que eu consiga terminar o projeto.
Tomara que eles consigam vender a casa.

Negative forms and alternatives

To express hope that something will not happen, add não after tomara que or before the verb. Examples:

Tomara que não aconteça nada ruim.
Tomara que ela não desista.

There are alternative phrases with similar meaning, which you may hear in conversation:

Espero que + subjunctive — more formal, similar to I hope.
Oxalá + subjunctive — more poetic or old-fashioned, but common in Brazil.
Quem dera + subjunctive — expresses a strong wish, often unattainable.

Comparison examples

Tomara que você consiga.
Espero que você consiga.
Oxalá você consiga.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Beginners often make predictable errors when using tomara que. Here are common mistakes and simple corrections.

Using the indicative instead of the subjunctive

Incorrect: Tomara que ele vem.
Correct: Tomara que ele venha.
Always use the subjunctive after tomara que.

Confusing tense choice

Incorrect: Tomara que eu tinha dinheiro.
Correct: Tomara que eu tivesse dinheiro.
Use imperfect subjunctive for unreal past or hypothetical wishes.

Overusing it in formal writing

Tomara que is idiomatic and conversational. In formal writing, prefer Espero que or Oxalá depending on tone. Example: In a formal email, use Espero que esteja bem instead of Tomara que esteja bem.

Stylistic and cultural notes

Tomara que is very common in Brazilian Portuguese and appears across regions. Its use conveys warmth and emotional involvement, which fits the conversational style of Brazilian speech. You will hear it in everyday conversations, novelas, music, and social media.

Regional and register differences

In some regions, speakers may prefer Espero que or Oxalá in certain contexts, but tomara que remains widely understood. Younger speakers might use it casually, while older speakers or literary texts might choose Oxalá for a poetic flavor.

Songs and idiomatic expressions

Brazilian songs often use tomara que to express romantic longing or hope. The phrase’s emotional tone makes it a natural fit for lyrics and informal speech.

Natural phrases and collocations

Learning common collocations helps you sound natural. Here are phrases you will hear frequently.

Tomara que dê certo — I hope it works out.
Tomara que não — Hopefully not / let’s hope not.
Tomara que tudo corra bem — I hope everything goes well.
Tomara que tudo se resolva — I hope everything gets resolved.

Short everyday uses

Tomara — used alone, often with an implied que. Example: Você acha que vai chover? — Tomara que não.
In fast speech, the que is sometimes dropped in informal contexts.

Practical tips to practice

To internalize tomara que, notice it in real contexts: listen to Brazilian podcasts, watch novelas, and read conversations on social media. Pay attention to which subjunctive tense follows and the tone speakers use. Repeat short sentences out loud to get the intonation right.

Try to replace English I hope with tomara que in simple sentences and check the verb form:
Tomara que eu consiga — I hope I manage.
Tomara que ele venha — I hope he comes.

Summary of rules

1. Use tomara que to express hopes or wishes.
2. Always follow with a verb in the subjunctive mood.
3. Use present subjunctive for realistic present/future hopes.
4. Use imperfect subjunctive for hypotheticals, regrets, or past-oriented wishes.
5. For negative hopes, add não.
6. In formal writing, consider Espero que or other options.

Conclusion

Tomara que is an essential, emotionally expressive phrase in Brazilian Portuguese for talking about hopes and wishes. Mastering its use with the subjunctive allows you to communicate desire, uncertainty, and longing naturally. Listen for it in songs and conversations, practice choosing the right subjunctive tense, and soon using tomara que will feel effortless in everyday speech.