separem

Separem is a Portuguese verb form derived from the verb separar (to separate). It is used as both the third-person plural present subjunctive and the second-person plural imperative (vocês) of the same verb. In everyday Portuguese, the spelling separem appears in subordinate clauses expressing wishes, doubts, or hypothetical situations, as well as in commands addressed to a group.

Morphology and conjugation notes: In the present subjunctive, the forms are: que eu separe, que tu separes, que ele separe, que nós separemos, que eles separem. The imperative form used for addressing a group (vocês) is separem. The negative imperative is não separem. Because the imperative for vocês is formed by the present subjunctive, separem serves both functions depending on syntax.

Usage and examples: In subordinate clauses after verbs of wishing, doubt, or necessity: “Espero que eles separem o lixo reciclável do orgânico.” In giving instructions to a group: “Separam as peças por tipo.” In formal or instructional contexts: “Separem os materiais antes de reciclar.” The form is common in written instructions, official guidance, and everyday speech among speakers of Brazilian and European Portuguese alike.

Etymology and related forms: Separam is a related form meaning “they separate” (present indicative) or the root used across tenses. The root comes from separar, which derives from Latin separare, meaning to detach or set apart, with the modern Portuguese construction reflecting Romance language patterns.

See also: Portuguese verb conjugation, separate (separar), present subjunctive, imperative mood.