ofendáis

Ofendáis is the second person plural present subjunctive form of the Spanish verb ofender, which means to offend or to hurt someone’s feelings. The form is used mainly in subordinate clauses that require the subjunctive mood, and it corresponds to the vosotros subject in Spain. In most of the Spanish-speaking world, where ustedes are used instead of vosotros, the corresponding present subjunctive form is ofendan.

Etymology and meaning: ofender derives from Latin offendere, meaning to strike against or to offend. The verb entered Spanish through the Romance language tradition and acquired its current sense of causing offense or injury to someone’s feelings, reputation, or sensibilities.

Grammatical use: The vosotros form of the present subjunctive appears after verbs or expressions that trigger the subjunctive, such as uncertainty, emotion, desire, doubt, or recommendations, and after conjunctions like que. It can also appear in the negative imperative for vosotros, as in No ofendáis a nadie, where the subjunctive mood expresses a command.

Regional note: The form of the present subjunctive for vosotros is ofendáis, while in Latin American varieties that do not use vos and instead use ustedes, the corresponding form is ofendan.

Examples:

- Espero que no ofendáis a nadie con vuestros comentarios.

- No ofendáis a nadie con esa broma.

Overall, ofendáis is a key verbal form for addressing a group informally in Spain when the speaker is expressing wishes, doubts, or giving a negative command, with the general meaning centered on refraining from offending others.