refirais

Refirais is the second-person plural present subjunctive form of the Portuguese verb referir, meaning to refer or to mention. The form is used in contexts that employ the vós form, which is more common in European Portuguese and in older or formal registers. In modern Brazilian Portuguese, the vós form is rarely used, and speakers generally employ the third-person plural forms (eles/elas/vocês) instead.

Grammatical details and usage

Refirais is formed from the stem refir- with the ending -ais, yielding refirais. It appears in clauses introduced by wish, doubt, or possibility, typically after conjunctions such as que: "que vós refirais" (that you all refer). In day-to-day contemporary Brazilian usage, this form is uncommon, with speakers opting for phrases like "que vocês refiram" or other paraphrases, depending on formality and region. In liturgical, traditional, or literary European Portuguese texts, refirais may appear more frequently.

Examples

É essencial que vós refirais os pontos discutidos. Espero que refinais as fontes citadas, se for aplicável ao contexto. Note que, na prática moderna, muitos falantes em Portugal substituem por formas com vocês: "que vocês refiram".

See also

Referir, subjunctive mood, European Portuguese grammar, vós usage.

Summary

Refirais is a specialized verb form tied to the vós paradigm in European Portuguese, used to express mood in present-subjunctive clauses meaning “that you all refer.” Its usage is limited in contemporary Brazilian Portuguese and in casual speech, where alternative constructions are common.