envolve

Envolve is a form of the Portuguese verb envolver, most commonly used as the third-person singular present indicative: “ele/ela envolve.” The root sense of the verb includes both literal and metaphorical meanings: to wrap or surround something physically, and to include, implicate, or require as part of a larger whole. For example, “Isso envolve custos” means “This involves costs,” while “O vento envolve a ilha” can be used poetically for a surrounding enveloping of space.

Etymology and senses

The verb derives from Latin involvere, from in- “in” + volvere “to roll.” Over time, its usage broadened from wrapping objects to enclosing or encompassing abstract notions, obligations, or people.

Conjugation and usage

Envolver is a regular -er verb in Portuguese. In the present tense the forms are: eu envolvo, tu envolves, ele envolve, nós envolvemos, vós envolveis, eles envolvem. Other tenses follow standard -er verb patterns (envolvi, envolveu, envolveria, envolverá, etc.). The reflexive form envolve-se means to become involved or to wrap oneself, as in “Ela envolve-se em um projeto” or “Ele envolve-se em problemas.”

Common contexts

- Physical sense: envolver um objeto com papel, tecido ou material.

- Abstract sense: envolver custos, riscos, prazos, elementos de um projeto.

- Social ou legal: envolver alguém em uma situação, ou estar envolvido em uma atividade.

See also

envolver, envolvido, envolvimento, envolvimento (as forms and related nouns).