Ojalá

[irmamar]

¿Cómo traduciríais "ojalá" en una frase como:

Ojalá le hubieras dicho algo.

I wish/hope you should have told him something.

?

Thanks.

[pjt33]

If only.

If only you'd* said something to him.

* you had

[irmamar]

OK, thanks.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

I wish is fine too.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by ROBINDESBOIS

I wish is fine too.

Thanks, Robin

But I was told (here) that "wish" is used when there's no possibility. What about if there is a possibility? For instance:

Ojalá llegues a tiempo.
I wish you arrive in time.

There are two alternatives, you can arrive in time or you can arrive late.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

But I was told (here) that "wish" is used when there's no possibility. What about if there is a possibility? For instance:

Ojalá llegues a tiempo.
I wish you arrive in time.

But you can't say that.
I hope that you arrive in time.
I pray that you arrive in time
May you arrive in time
Please God let it be that you arrive in time

I just wish for once that you would arrive in time (you idiot)
.
.
.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Perikles

But you can't say that.
I hope that you arrive in time.
I pray that you arrive in time
May you arrive in time
Please God let it be that you arrive in time

I just wish for once that you would arrive in time (you idiot)
.
.
.

Don't you like "May you arrive in time"?

So, if there is a possibility, I must use "hope", but I can say "wish" if there's no possibility. Am I right?

I guess you can omit that "that" and say "I hope you arrive...". Do you prefer to use "that"?

[pjt33]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Don't you like "May you arrive in time"?

No.

So, if there is a possibility, I must use "hope", but I can say "wish" if there's no possibility. Am I right?

No. An example taken from the BNC:

"I just wish the old cow would hurry up and die."

Here it expresses frustration rather than impossibility.

I can't write more now, but I will try to think about this and come back later.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by Perikles

May you arrive in time
.

Originally Posted by irmamar

Don't you like "May you arrive in time"?

As pjt says, the expression sounds odd, although grammatically correct. You would not use it in ordinary speech, but you could use it in an ironic/silly mode, such as a curse:

May all your Chrismas(s?)es be White. (note the subjunctive, which is actually a hortative optative, in case @Chileno is interested )
May you live in peace.
May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits!

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

Es lenguaje de Yoda... "may the force be with you."