While ojalá with the present subjunctive expresses realistic hopes, pairing it with the imperfect subjunctive translates to "I wish" or "if only." It signals that a desire is impossible, imaginary, or highly unlikely to come true in the present or future.
| If only I won the lottery to have infinite money. | Ojalá ganara la lotería para tener dinero infinito. |
| If only I could undo the mistake and erase the stain. | Ojalá pudiera deshacer el error y borrar la mancha. |
You can use ojalá on its own or as ojalá que—both are correct and mean the exact same thing. It is the perfect structure for daydreaming about hypothetical situations:
| If only I had the gift of always being brave. | Ojalá tuviera el don de ser siempre valiente. |
| If only the gift of beauty were infinite! | ¡Ojalá el don de la belleza fuera infinito! |
It is also used to wish a current situation were different or to express frustration:
| If only you had a good memory to remember that moment. | Ojalá tuvieras buena memoria para recordar ese momento. |
| If only you were braver to undo this disaster! | ¡Ojalá fueras más valiente para deshacer este desastre! |
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