quem me dera

Portuguese

Alternative forms

Etymology

Literally, “who had given me [that]”, which is an ironic rhetorical question about something not yet had but as though already in possession. The phrase means to say "who would ever give that [which I wish] to me?!"

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)
    Synonyms: oxalá, tomara
    • 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
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