Spanish Phrase
Ojalá no se vaya la luz.
Meaning
Literally, 'I hope the power doesn't go out.' It expresses a wish that the electricity will stay on, often said during storms or when the power is unstable.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are concerned about a possible power outage, such as during a thunderstorm, a planned maintenance, or when the electricity has been flickering.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ojalánosevayalaluz
Ojalá
A conjunction meaning 'I hope' or 'let's hope', often followed by a subjunctive verb.
Negation with 'no'
Placed before the verb phrase to negate the hope.
Se (pronominal)
In this context, 'se' is part of the pronominal verb 'irse', indicating the electricity goes out.
Subjunctive 'vaya'
Third person singular present subjunctive of 'ir', used after 'ojalá' to express a wish.
Definite article 'la' + noun 'luz'
Refers to the electricity supply; 'la luz' is a common way to say 'the power' in Spanish.
🗨In Conversation
Ojalá no se vaya la luz, todavía tengo que terminar mi informe.
I hope the power doesn't go out, I still have to finish my report.
Sí, mejor guardemos los documentos y mantengamos la luz encendida.
Yes, let's save the documents and keep the lights on.
✕Common Mistakes
Ojalá no se va la luz.
The verb must be in the subjunctive after 'ojalá'; use 'vaya' not 'va'.
Ojalá la luz se vaya.
Word order is flexible, but the typical phrasing places 'se vaya' before the noun.
Ojala no se vaya la luz.
Write it with an accent: 'ojalá'.
↔Alternatives
Espero que no se corte la luz.
I hope the electricity doesn't get cut.
Deseo que la luz siga encendida.
I wish the light stays on.
Ojalá la luz no se apague.
Hopefully the light won't go out.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, 'la luz' is the everyday term for electricity, not 'electricidad'. When talking about a power outage, locals often say 'se fue la luz' or 'se cortó la luz'. The phrase 'ojalá' is informal and conveys a personal wish, so it's best used in casual conversation rather than formal writing.