hesitemos

Hesitemos is the first-person plural present subjunctive form of the Spanish verb hesitar. It is used to express doubt, possibility, desire, or a suggestion in subordinate clauses, and can appear as a polite or rhetorical exhortation in the imperative sense when used with the sense “let us.” For example, in a sentence such as “Que hesitemos ante la decisión,” the phrase conveys a cautious consideration of whether to proceed.

Conjugation and grammar: Hesitar is a regular -ar verb. The present subjunctive forms are: yo hesite, tú hesites, él hesite, nosotros hesitemos, vosotros hesitéis, ellos hesiten. The form hesitemos is commonly found after verbs of volition, doubt, or emotion, or in constructions that urge joint action. It can also appear in negative exhortations, as in “No hesitemos en pedir ayuda.”

Usage: Hesitemos tends to appear in formal, literate, or stylistically careful language. It contrasts with the more common tú dudarías or nosotros dudamos and with direct imperatives. Typical contexts include expressions of caution or prudence, such as evaluating options before acting, and in phrases that begin with que or no to convey a collective decision to hesitate or not hesitate.

Etymology: Hesitar derives from Latin haesitare, meaning to hesitate or cling. The present subjunctive form hesitemos shares its root with related Spanish verbs and cognates in other Romance languages.

See also: Hesitar, Dudar, Imperative forms in Spanish, Subjunctive mood.