James Gunn’s 2014 film “Guardians of the Galaxy” introduced many viewers to the kindly anthropomorphic tree person, Groot, who could only say a single phrase: “I am Groot.”

Only his longtime friend, Rocket Raccoon, seemed to understand him in the first film, but during Groot’s sacrifice in the movie, his familiar saying becomes “We are Groot.”

As the franchise progresses, the audience witnesses the growth of Groot’s progeny, and while he also can only say, “I am Groot,” the other characters appear to understand him.

There’s a passing line of dialogue in “Vol. 3,” explaining that only those who have been around Groot long enough and connected with him can comprehend his words.

At the end of “Vol. 3,” Groot says, “I love you guys.” Germain Lussier of io9 theorized that this means the audience is now as friendly with Groot as the rest of the Guardians.

A fan tagged James Gunn on Twitter, pointing out the theory. The writer and director responded, “Spoiler ... Yes that’s exactly what it means.”