No tocante à discussão

Grammatically, this phrase acts as a complex preposition. You place it at the beginning of a sentence or a clause to set the stage. The most important thing to watch out for is the à. This is a contraction of the preposition a and the feminine article a (called a crase). Because discussão is feminine, you need that little accent mark. If you were talking about a masculine word like projeto, it would change to No tocante ao projeto. You’ll usually see this in written reports, formal emails, or heard in speeches and academic lectures. Just remember: it’s a heavy-duty tool. Don't use it to discuss why your roommate ate your yogurt unless you want to sound like a very annoyed lawyer.

We are firmly in the "formal" and "very formal" territory here. You will find this in legal documents, LinkedIn articles that use too many syllables, and serious news broadcasts. If you use this while texting your friends about a TikTok trend, they will probably ask if you've been hacked by a 19th-century poet. However, in a job interview or a project proposal, it’s pure gold. It shows you have a high level of Portuguese and can handle professional registers. It’s the linguistic equivalent of wearing a blazer over a t-shirt—it instantly levels up the vibe. Even in professional settings, don't overdo it; one or two well-placed formal expressions are better than a whole paragraph of academic jargon.

Imagine you are on a Zoom call with a client. The discussion is getting messy. You jump in with: No tocante à discussão sobre o orçamento, proponho uma nova revisão. (Regarding the discussion about the budget, I propose a new revision.) Boom. You’ve just steered the ship. Or perhaps you're writing a comment on a serious LinkedIn post about remote work. You might say: No tocante à discussão de produtividade, acredito que a flexibilidade é essencial. (Concerning the productivity discussion, I believe flexibility is essential.) It also appears frequently in Portuguese news (like Globo or RTP) when reporters summarize political debates. It’s the bread and butter of people who get paid to talk about complicated things.

Use this when you need to be precise and professional. It’s perfect for the "summary" phase of a meeting where you need to address specific points raised by others. It’s also great for academic writing (theses, essays) or formal feedback on a project. If you're involved in a public debate or a community meeting, this phrase helps you sound composed and respectful. It’s also a clever way to transition between topics without using the basic e agora... (and now...). Basically, if you want to sound like the smartest person in the room without being arrogant, this is your go-to opener.

Do not use this in a casual setting. Seriously. If you’re at a bar and say, No tocante à discussão sobre qual cerveja pedir... your friends might leave you with the bill. It’s also too heavy for quick WhatsApp messages unless you’re joking. Avoid using it if the "discussion" you’re referring to was just a two-minute chat about the weather. It requires a topic with some weight. Also, don't use it if you aren't 100% sure about the grammar following it; a formal phrase followed by a basic grammar mistake is like wearing a suit with flip-flops. It just doesn't work.

Remember, the phrase is fixed. If you start swapping the small words, the whole professional facade crumbles faster than a cheap cookie.

If No tocante à discussão feels a bit too "lawyer-ish," you can try Quanto à discussão. It’s still formal but a bit more versatile. Em relação à discussão is another great alternative that works in almost any professional context. For something even more "high-level," try No que diz respeito à discussão. If you want to go the opposite way and be more casual, just use Sobre a conversa. Regional tip: in Portugal, you might hear Relativamente à discussão more frequently in official contexts. In Brazil, No tocante a became somewhat of a meme because of its frequent use by certain politicians, so use it with a wink if you're among friends!

Is it too formal? Yes, for casual talk. No, for work. Can I use it for men? No, the word discussão is always feminine, but if the noun changes, the à might become ao. Is it common in Brazil? Very common in news and politics. Is it common in Portugal? Yes, especially in formal writing. Does it mean I'm touching something? No, it's figurative! Think of it as "touching upon" a subject. Do I need the accent? Yes, the à is essential for the phrase to be grammatically correct.