Some languages distinguish between the optative mood and an imprecative mood (abbreviated IMPREC). In these languages, the imprecative mood is used to wish misfortune upon others, whereas the optative mood is used for wishes in general. In such a language, "May he lose the race" is in imprecative mood, whereas "May I win the race" would be in optative mood. An example of such a language is Turkish.
Famous quotes containing the word mood:
“Craving that old sweet oneness yet dreading engulfment, wishing to be our mother’s and yet be our own, we stormily swing from mood to mood, advancing and retreating—the quintessential model of two-mindedness.”
—Judith Viorst (20th century)