envolvem

Envolvem is the third person plural present indicative form of the Portuguese verb envolver. The verb has two broad senses: to wrap or enclose something physically, and to entail, include, or implicate other elements in a broader context. As a result, envolvem can describe both literal containment and figurative inclusion, depending on the sentence.

Etymology and meaning. Envolver derives from Latin involvere, meaning to roll up or wrap. In modern Portuguese, the verb covers several related ideas: to wrap around an object (os fios que envolvem a presente), to surround or encircle a place, and to imply or require additional components or participants (a decisão envolve custos).

Usage and examples. In physical sense: "As cordas envolvem o mastro." In figurative sense: "A proposta envolve várias áreas da empresa" (the proposal involves several areas of the company). It also appears in phrases indicating consequence or obligation: "O projeto envolve riscos" (the project involves/entails risks). The form envolvem is used with plural subjects, e.g., "Eles envolvem" or "As mudanças envolvem todos os setores." Reflexively, one can encounter envolvem-se in contexts like "eles envolvem-se em debates" to mean they become involved.

Conjugation overview. Envolver is a regular -er verb with irregularities limited to stem vowels in some forms: eu envolvo, tu envolves, ele/ela envolve, nós envolvemos, vós envolveis, eles/elas envolvem. The word envolvem specifically signals a plural subject in the present tense.

See also. Envolvimento (noun form meaning involvement), envolvimento político, envolvimento físico (wrapping), and related verbs such as incluir and abranger for nuanced usage.