Breakdown of Ojalá que tu tolerancia sea alta; el ardor es tan inaguantable como para que llores.
ser
to be
alto
tall / high
tu
your
para
for
llorar
to cry
que
that / than
tan
as / so
como
as / like (such as, similar to)
ojalá
hopefully / I hope
el ardor
the burning sensation
inaguantable
unbearable
la tolerancia
the tolerance
Questions & Answers about Ojalá que tu tolerancia sea alta; el ardor es tan inaguantable como para que llores.
Why do we use como para que llores (subjunctive) instead of como para llorar (infinitive)?
In this "threshold" structure, we use como para que followed by the subjunctive when there is a change of subject. The subject of the first part is the burning sensation (el ardor), but the subject of the second part is you (llores). If we used como para llorar (infinitive), it would be a general statement meaning "the burning is unbearable enough to make one cry." Adding que llores makes it specifically about you crying.
The English translation says "unbearable enough", but the Spanish says tan inaguantable como. How does that work?
Is the que required in Ojalá que tu tolerancia sea alta?
No, the que is entirely optional. You can say Ojalá tu tolerancia sea alta and it means exactly the same thing. Either way, Ojalá always requires the subjunctive mood (like sea here) because it expresses a hope or desire.
What kind of burning does ardor refer to here?
Ardor usually refers to a physical stinging or burning sensation, like the pain from eating extremely spicy food, getting a severe sunburn, or putting rubbing alcohol on a cut. While it can also mean "passion" metaphorically, the context of "tolerance" and "crying" makes it clear this is physical pain.
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