reciban

Reciban is a Spanish verb form derived from the infinitive recibir. It serves two related grammatical functions: it is the present subjunctive form for the third-person plural (ellos, ellas, ustedes), and it is the affirmative imperative form used when addressing ustedes (you all) in commands.

As a present-subjunctive form, reciba/reciban appears in clauses that express wishes, doubts, or non-real possibilities, often after verbs or expressions that introduce uncertainty or desire. As an affirmative imperative for a group, reciban is used to issue a direct command or invitation to a group of people. Because the imperative for ustedes is formed from the present subjunctive, reciba/reciban can appear in both polite, formal contexts and in slightly more formal commands.

Examples illustrate its use: “Espero que me reciban con una sonrisa” (I hope they receive me with a smile) shows the subjunctive function; “Reciban mis saludos” (Receive my greetings) demonstrates the affirmative command to ustedes. In standard conversation, more common tenses of recibir may appear, but reciba/reciban remains a normal choice in formal correspondence, ceremonial language, or in phrases such as “Reciban este reconocimiento.”

Conjugation notes: the verb recibir normally conjugates as recibo, recibes, recibe, recibimos, recibís, reciben in the present indicative; the present subjunctive forms are reciba, recibas, reciba, recibamos, recibáis, reciban; the imperative for ustedes is reciban. The form reciba/reciban is therefore contextually distinguished by mood (subjunctive) or by the imperative usage with ustedes.

Etymologically, recibir derives from Latin recipere, and reciba/reciban preserves the same root meaning of taking in or accepting.