Entendamos

Entendamos is a verb form found in Spanish and Portuguese, derived from the verbs entender (Spanish) and entender (Portuguese), both meaning “to understand.” Grammatically, it is the first-person plural form in the present subjunctive in both languages, and it is also used as the affirmative imperative for the nosotros/nós form to express a collective encouragement, roughly translating to “let us understand.”

In Spanish, entendamos appears in subordinate clauses after verbs or expressions that express doubt, desire, necessity, or emotion, for example: “Es importante que entendamos las causas” (It is important that we understand the causes). It can also function as a direct exhortation: “Entendamos la situación” (Let’s understand the situation).

In Portuguese, entendamos has a parallel role as the present subjunctive first-person plural, used in clauses after verbs that express wishes or uncertainty, such as: “Que entendamos o problema” (That we understand the problem). It is also used dimly as a ready-made exhortation in informal speech: “Entendamos!” (Let’s understand/Let us understand).

The form is identical in spelling for both languages, reflecting their shared Romance heritage. Pronunciation and usage patterns differ by language and region, but the basic function remains the same: a linguistic tool to express collective understanding or the action of understanding in a subjunctive or exhortative mood.