Devemoslhe

Devemoslhe is a term used in lusophone discourse to denote a collective moral obligation directed toward a third party. The coinage blends the verb form "devemos" (we must, we owe) with the clitic pronoun "lhe" (to him, to her), and is commonly treated as a rhetorical device rather than a standard grammatical construction. It has appeared mainly in online debates and contemporary ethics writing, where it serves to foreground an obligation that transcends individuals and calls for action by a group, institution, or society.

Etymology and form are often noted in discussions of the term. Although built from ordinary elements, Devemoslhe is typically treated as a nominal concept or label rather than a literal verb phrase in most uses. In standard orthography, the underlying construction would be written as "devemos-lhe" inside sentences; as a named concept, it is often presented with capitalization and as a distinct term.

Usage and context are largely focused on moral and political argument. Devemoslhe is invoked to argue that a community owes restitution, protection, or support to a harmed party or to marginalized groups. It appears in policy proposals, public ethics discussions, and debates about social responsibility, reparations, and care ethics, functioning as a concise shorthand for collective duty.

Reception and status vary. The term is not widely adopted in formal dictionaries or broad academic lexicons and is regarded by many as a niche rhetorical device. Some critics worry that its ambiguity can hinder precise argumentation, while supporters view it as a useful linguistic tool to spotlight shared obligation.

See also: Dever, Obrigação, Responsabilidade social, Reparação histórica, Care ethics.