Learn Spanish (Latin America): Ojalá que tu tolerancia sea alta; el ardor es tan inaguantable como para que llores. - I hope your tolerance is high; the burning sensation is unbearable enough to make you cry.

Ojalá que tu tolerancia sea alta; el ardor es tan inaguantable como para que llores.

I hope your tolerance is high; the burning sensation is unbearable enough to make you cry.

Breakdown of Ojalá que tu tolerancia sea alta; el ardor es tan inaguantable como para que llores.

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?

English often uses "adjective + enough to" to express that a threshold has been reached. Spanish expresses this same idea as "so + adjective + as to" using tan + adjective + como para. You are literally saying the burning is "so unbearable as for you to cry."

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?