ajudem

Ajudem is a verb form in Portuguese derived from the infinitive ajudar, meaning to help. It is primarily recognized as the third-person plural present subjunctive form of ajudar, and in Brazilian Portuguese it is also commonly used as the affirmative imperative for the pronoun vocês.

In terms of conjugation, ajudem follows the regular pattern of -ar verbs in the present subjunctive for the third-person plural: eles/elas/vocês ajudem. When used as an imperative, it functions as a command directed at vocês, as in a directive to a group to provide assistance. The form is typically introduced by a preceding clause or context that triggers the subjunctive or imperative mood, such as after que, para que, or simply as a direct instruction in informal settings.

Usage examples include: Espero que eles ajudem com a organização do evento. (I hope they help with the organization of the event.) Vocês ajudem os colegas com os trabalhos de casa. (You all help the classmates with the homework.) Ajudem agora a limpar a sala. (Help clean the room now.) These examples illustrate the dual role of ajudem in subordinate constructions and as a concise command to a group.

Etymology and cognates: Ajudem derives from the Latin adiuvare, through the evolution of the Portuguese verb ajudar. The form is part of a broader pattern for -ar verbs in the present subjunctive, and its use as an imperative for vocês is common in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese. Related verbs in the same family include ajudar and adiantar, reflecting the same semantic core of assisting or aiding.