explique

Explique is a common Romance-language form that functions as a grammatical variant rather than a standalone word with a single meaning. It appears in several languages as a verb form related to the idea of explaining or unfolding information.

In French, expliquer is the verb meaning “to explain.” Explique appears in two main ways: as the present tense third-person singular form il explique (he explains), and as the second-person singular imperative form explique (explain!). The two uses are distinguished by syntax and punctuation, but they share the same surface spelling. The verb is derived from Latin explicare, meaning to unfold or unfold clearly.

In Spanish and Portuguese, similar forms exist in related verbs that mean to explain. In Spanish, explicare forms appear in the present subjunctive and certain imperative contexts, such as él explique or que explique, depending on mood and politeness. In Portuguese, explique is used as the formal imperative with você or as a present subjunctive form (que ele explique). These forms reflect the same etymological root as French, from Latin explicare, and they retain the core meaning of making something clear or unfolding it.

Etymology ties explain to the idea of unfolding or making explicit what is implicit. The root is common across several Romance languages, with cognate forms in French, Spanish, and Portuguese that share the sense of clarifying information or reasoning.

See also: expliquer, explicar, explicar (in Portuguese), explicacion, explanation.