No que concerne à problemática

Using this phrase requires a bit of grammatical gymnastics, specifically with the à. The verb concernir (to concern) requires the preposition a. Since problemática is a feminine noun that takes the article a, they fuse into à (the famous 'crase'). You usually place this at the very beginning of a sentence to set the stage for your argument. It acts as a formal 'lead-in.' For example, No que concerne à problemática do trânsito... (Regarding the issue of traffic...). It functions as a complex prepositional phrase. You are basically telling your listener: 'I am now narrowing my focus to this specific, complicated area.' It’s like using a laser pointer during a PowerPoint presentation—very precise and very professional.

This phrase lives in the 'Very Formal' neighborhood. It hangs out with lawyers, university professors, and news anchors. You will almost never hear this at a backyard barbecue or in a casual WhatsApp group with your cousins. If you use it in a text message, your friends might ask if you've been hacked by a government official. However, in a university thesis, a job interview for a high-level position, or a formal report, it is pure gold. It shows you have a high 'escolaridade' (level of education) and that you respect the formal standards of the Portuguese language. It’s the 'suit and tie' of phrases—stiff, but it makes you look incredibly sharp.

You’ll often see this in the 'Introdução' (Introduction) of academic papers. A student might write, No que concerne à problemática da desigualdade social... to start a chapter. You’ll also hear it during the 'Jornal Nacional' (a major Brazilian news program) when a reporter is interviewing a specialist about the economy. In a corporate Zoom meeting, a manager might say, No que concerne à problemática da retenção de talentos, precisamos de novas estratégias. (Regarding the issue of talent retention, we need new strategies.) Even on LinkedIn, you might find articles starting with this phrase to grab the attention of professionals who value intellectual discourse. It’s less about the words and more about the 'vibe' of expertise you're projecting.

Reach for this phrase when the stakes are high. It is perfect for the 'Redação do ENEM' (the big Brazilian college entrance exam) or any formal writing task. If you are writing an email to a CEO or a government agency, this phrase is your best friend. It’s also useful when you are debating a serious topic in a formal setting and want to pivot the conversation. If someone asks for your opinion on a complex social trend, starting with No que concerne à problemática... gives you a few seconds to organize your thoughts while sounding like a total genius. It’s a great 'thinking' phrase that buys you time while maintaining your dignity.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, do not use this in a dating app bio. No que concerne à problemática da minha vida amorosa... will get you zero matches, unless you're looking for a fellow grammarian. Avoid it in casual settings, like ordering a pizza or talking to the cashier at the supermarket. If you use it with close friends, they will probably make fun of you for being 'metido' (pretentious). It’s also overkill for simple problems. If your pen ran out of ink, just say it’s a problema. Calling it a problemática makes it sound like a national crisis involving the global supply chain of blue dye.

The most common trip-up is forgetting the 'crase' on the à. People often write a problemática or há problemática, but both are incorrect. Another mistake is using it as a synonym for 'about' in every situation. Remember, problemática refers to a set of problems, not just one. ✗ No que concerne a problema → ✓ No que concerne à problemática. Also, don't confuse concerne with conserta (to fix). You are talking about the problem, not fixing it yet! Finally, some learners try to use it with masculine nouns without changing the article, like ✗ No que concerne à assunto. It should be No que concerne ao assunto (if you must use concerne there).

If No que concerne à problemática feels like too much of a mouthful, you can use No que diz respeito à problemática. It means almost the same thing but feels slightly more dynamic. Another alternative is Quanto à problemática, which is a bit shorter and more common in journalistic writing. In less formal but still professional settings, you might just say Relativamente à problemática. If you want to be even more old-school and fancy, you could try No tocante à problemática. It’s like the vintage version of the phrase. All of these maintain the same general meaning but offer different levels of 'flavor' for your formal writing.

Is this phrase common in Portugal? Yes, it is used in both Brazil and Portugal, mostly in formal and academic contexts. Is 'problemática' a noun or an adjective here? Here, it is used as a noun, meaning 'the set of problems.' Can I use it in a speech? Absolutely, it’s great for formal speeches or presentations to keep the audience focused. Does it always need the 'à'? Yes, if it's followed by the feminine noun problemática. If the noun changes to something masculine, like tema, it becomes ao tema. Why not just say 'sobre'? Because 'sobre' is common and simple; this phrase adds a layer of sophistication and depth that 'sobre' lacks.