How to Say ‘I Wish’ in Portuguese: Quem Dera or Tomara — Practice

Use tomara for a hopeful wish

Tomara expresses a hope that something will happen. It often introduces que followed by the subjunctive, especially when the result is uncertain.

Use quem dera for ‘if only’

Quem dera expresses a strong wish, often for something that feels unlikely or is not true now. It can stand alone or introduce a clause.

Use queria to make a request softer

Queria is the imperfect form of querer and is often used politely to say ‘I would like.’ It is especially useful for ordering or asking for something without sounding abrupt.

Remember: Use tomara for a hopeful outcome, quem dera for ‘if only,’ and queria to express a desire or make a polite request.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. I hope it’s sunny on Saturday.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Tomara que faça sol no sábado.

2. I hope you manage to arrive early.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Tomara que vocês consigam chegar cedo.

3. If only I had more free time.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quem dera eu tivesse mais tempo livre.

4. I wish! That would be perfect.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quem dera! Seria perfeito.

5. I’d like a coffee, please.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Queria um café, por favor.

6. I wish I could learn to play the guitar.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Queria aprender a tocar violão.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use tomara for a hopeful outcome, quem dera for ‘if only,’ and queria to express a desire or make a polite request.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our How to Say ‘I Wish’ in Portuguese: Quem Dera or Tomara? lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.