hortativa

Hortativa, or hortativus in Latin terminology, is a grammatical mood used to express exhortation, encouragement, or an invitation to action. It is typically employed to urge a group that includes the speaker to act together, often translating as “let us …” in English.

Etymology and cross-linguistic presence. The term comes from Latin hortari, “to urge,” with the mood classically described as hortativus. In Latin it is commonly formed with the present subjunctive in the first person plural, as in salvemus rempublicam, meaning “Let us save the republic.” Many modern languages express hortative meaning through subjunctive or related periphrastic forms rather than a dedicated mood. English relies on let us or shall we constructions; Spanish and Portuguese frequently use present subjunctive forms (hagamos, hagamos; façamos) or idiomatic equivalents (vamos, vamos ao cinema) to achieve a hortative force.

Usage and characteristics. The hortative is distinguished from the imperative by including the speaker and/or audience in the action and by its inclusive, invitational sense rather than a direct command. It often conveys solidarity or communal intention. In some languages the hortative can be used in affirmative and negative forms, though negative exhortation may employ different particles or constructions.

Relation to other moods. The hortative is closely related to the subjunctive and to optative constructs, sharing the function of expressing non-factual or desired actions. It is also contrasted with the imperative, which directly commands the listener.

See also. Exhortative mood, subjunctive, imperative, optative, let-us construction.