desejam

Desejam is a Portuguese verb form that means they wish or they desire. It is the third-person plural present indicative form of the verb desejar, used with subjects such as eles or elas to express a present wish or longing.

Etymology and usage: The verb desejar comes from the Latin desiderare, meaning to long for or desire. In everyday Portuguese, desejar is used for a wide range of wants, from simple wishes to more formal or emotional desires. Desejam specifically marks the present tense for plural subjects, as in eles desejam, elas desejam.

Grammatical notes: Desejar follows regular -ar conjugation patterns in the present tense. The corresponding forms for other subjects include eu desejo, tu desejas, ele deseja, nós desejamos, vós desejais, eles desejam. While vós forms are common in some regions, they are less used in contemporary speech, especially outside formal writing.

Examples: Eles desejam boa sorte. (They wish for good luck.) As crianças desejam presentes no Natal. (The children wish for gifts at Christmas.)

See also: desejar; desejo; desiderar.