62 Expressing hope
This chapter considers the concept of hope, in relation to the speaker himself as well as
to others.62.1 Saying what one hopes or others hope to do
To express this idea, Spanish normally uses the verb esperar, ‘to hope’, followed by an
infinitive
Este año espero ir a Berlín.
This year I hope to go to Berlin.
Francisco espera aprobar el examen.
Francisco hopes to pass the exam.
Esperamos recibir el dinero mañana.
We hope to receive the money tomorrow.26.2.2.1 (p. 134)
62.2 Expressing hope with regard to others
When the expression of hope involves a subject other than that of the main verb, as in
‘I hope you are lucky!’, we use the following expressions.62.2.1 Esperar+que+ subjunctive
This construction with esperar is by far the most frequent form of expressing hope
involving others, and it is used in all registers. When hope refers to the present or the
future, the main verb, that is esperar, must be in the present indicative, while the
verb in the subordinate clause must be in the present subjunctive. 16.1.1.3 (p. 61)
¡Espero que tengas suerte!
I hope you are lucky!Elena espera que tú la ayudes.
Elena hopes you can help her.
Mis padres esperan que yo estudie medicina.
My parents hope I will study medicine.