quem me dera

Portuguese

Alternative forms

Etymology

Literally, “who would give me [that]”, with the dated, now poetic use of the pluperfect tense (dera) to express a wish; compare Spanish diera, a subjunctive-mood conjugation. See also tomara and quisera, which see similar usage.

Pronunciation

 
  • (Brazil) IPA(key): /ˈkẽj̃ mi ˈdɛ.ɾɐ/ [ˈkẽɪ̯̃ mi ˈdɛ.ɾɐ]
    • (Southern Brazil) IPA(key): /ˈkẽj̃ me ˈdɛ.ɾa/ [ˈkẽɪ̯̃ me ˈdɛ.ɾa]
  • (Portugal) IPA(key): /ˈkɐ̃j̃ mɨ ˈdɛ.ɾɐ/ [ˈkɐ̃j̃ mɨ ˈðɛ.ɾɐ]

Phrase

quem me dera

  1. (idiomatic, colloquial) I wish (I would very much like that to be so, even though it is unlikely) [with infinitive or imperfect subjunctive]
    Quem me dera ter um bom emprego. ― I wish I had a nice job.
    Quem dera a vida fosse fácil assim. ― I wish life were that easy.
    • 1991, Juan Luis Guerra, “Borbulhas de Amor (Tenho um Coração) [Love Burbles (I’ve Got a Heart)]”, in Ferreira Gullar (lyrics), Pedras que Cantam, performed by Fagner, BMG Ariola:
      Quem dera ser um peixe / Para em teu límpido aquário mergulhar / Fazer borbulhas de amor pra te encantar
      I wish I was a fish / So I could dive into your limpid aquarium / And make love burbles to charm you
    • 2014, “Vida de Estrada”, in Diabo na Cruz, performed by Diabo na Cruz:
      O que é bom nunca é pra agora / Quem me dera ir daqui pra fora
      What's good is never instant / I wish I could leave to somewhere distant

See also

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