circundamos

Circundamos is the first-person plural present indicative form of the Portuguese verb circundar, meaning “we surround” or “we encircle.” It is used to describe the act of placing a boundary around something or enclosing its limits.

Etymology and form: The verb circundar derives from Latin circumundare, built from circum- (“around”) and an -undare ending, reflecting its meaning of surrounding. In modern Portuguese it behaves as a regular -ar verb.

Conjugation and related forms: As a regular -ar verb, its present tense forms include eu circundo, tu circundas, ele circunda, nós circundamos, vós circundais, eles circundam. The present subjunctive appears as circundemos for the first-person plural, used in clauses like “É necessário que circundemos o perímetro.” The gerund is circundando and the past participle circundado.

Usage: The term can be literal, as when authorities surround a site or perimeter; or figurative, such as surrounding a topic with data, questions, or constraints. It is common in formal and semi-formal prose. Exemplos: Nós circundamos o terreno com uma cerca. Circundar a área com evidências pode circundar a seção de uma discussão.