Relativamente à argumentos

Using this phrase is like steering a ship. You usually place it at the beginning of a sentence to set the course. However, you must be careful with the 'grammar glue' that follows. In Portuguese, relativamente always requires the preposition a. If the next word is masculine plural like argumentos, you have two choices. You can say relativamente a argumentos (general) or relativamente aos argumentos (specific). The version in our title, relativamente à argumentos, is actually a common trap! Because argumentos is masculine, you can't use the feminine à. It’s like trying to put a square peg in a round hole. Use it to introduce a rebuttal or to expand on a point. It works beautifully in emails after a bulleted list. You pick one bullet and say, 'Relativamente ao ponto X...'. It keeps your communication clean and modular. Just remember the 'A' is mandatory. Without it, the phrase falls apart like a cheap umbrella in a storm.

This phrase lives in the 'Formal' neighborhood. You won't hear teenagers saying this while playing Fortnite. It’s a 'LinkedIn' kind of phrase. If you use it at a Sunday BBQ with friends, they might ask if you’ve recently become a judge. It belongs in the 'Neutral to Very Formal' spectrum. In a professional email, it’s perfect. In a university essay, it’s a gold mine. Even in a serious news broadcast, you’ll hear reporters using it to pivot between topics. It carries a vibe of objectivity. By saying relativamente a, you are distancing yourself slightly. You are being analytical rather than emotional. It shows you have control over the structure of the conversation. Use it when you want to be taken seriously. Don't use it when you're telling your mom why you're late for dinner. That would just be weird.

Imagine you are in a Zoom meeting. The client just listed five reasons why they want a discount. You take a breath and say: Relativamente aos argumentos apresentados, gostaria de propor uma alternativa. Boom. You sound like a pro. Or picture a student writing a thesis. They might write: Relativamente a esta teoria, existem várias lacunas. It allows the writer to move from a general discussion to a specific critique. In a legal context, a lawyer might say: Relativamente à prova testemunhal, não há dúvidas. Notice how the 'a' changes to 'à' here because prova is feminine? That’s the magic of Portuguese grammar! Even on high-end talk shows, you’ll hear interviewers use it. They use it to bring the guest back to a specific topic after a long tangent. It’s the 'GPS' of high-level Portuguese conversation. It always knows where you are going.

Use it when you need to be precise. If you are replying to an email with multiple questions, this phrase is your best friend. It helps you signpost which question you are answering. Use it during a job interview. When they ask about your 'weaknesses', you can say: Relativamente às minhas fraquezas, estou a trabalhar na gestão de tempo. It sounds much more professional than just saying 'About my weaknesses...'. Use it in debates. It allows you to acknowledge what the other person said before you dismantle it. It’s also great for cover letters. You can say: Relativamente à vaga de gestor, acredito que o meu perfil é ideal. It shows you are organized and can handle formal communication. Basically, any time you want to sound like you have a degree in 'Being Extremely Professional', use this.

Keep this out of your WhatsApp group chats with friends. If you text your bestie: Relativamente aos argumentos sobre onde jantar, prefiro pizza, they will think you’ve been hacked by a robot. It’s too heavy for casual settings. Also, avoid using it repeatedly in the same paragraph. It’s a strong phrase. If you use it three times in three sentences, you’ll sound like a malfunctioning legal bot. Don't use it in high-stress emotional situations. If you're arguing with a partner, saying 'Relativamente ao teu argumento sobre a louça...' is a one-way ticket to sleeping on the couch. It’s too cold for intimacy. Also, if you aren't sure about the gender of the noun that follows, maybe stick to sobre. Using à with a masculine noun is a 'red flag' for native speakers. It’s better to be simple and correct than fancy and wrong.

Grammar is the place where most people trip over this phrase. The biggest mistake is the 'Gender Clash'. ✗ Relativamente à argumentos → ✓ Relativamente a argumentos. Remember, à is only for feminine words! Another mistake is forgetting the a entirely. ✗ Relativamente os argumentos → ✓ Relativamente aos argumentos. It’s like forgetting the salt in a cake; it just doesn't work. Some people also confuse it with relacionado com. While similar, relativamente always takes a. Don't try to mix them! Another classic error is using it as a synonym for 'relatively' (the adverb of degree). ✗ Este café é relativamente a quente → ✓ Este café está relativamente quente. Here, you just want the adverb, not the transitional phrase. Also, watch out for the 'Double Preposition'. ✗ Relativamente sobre os argumentos. You don't need 'sobre'. Relativamente already has its own 'A' to do the work. Don't make it work harder than it has to!

Portuguese is rich with ways to say 'regarding'. If relativamente a feels too stiff, try quanto a. It’s slightly more flexible. No que diz respeito a is the 'final boss' of formality. It’s even longer and more formal. If you are writing a quick email, sobre is the reliable 'jeans and t-shirt' option. For a slightly more modern, tech-savvy vibe, you might see em relação a. This is very common in Brazilian Portuguese as well. In Portugal, relativamente a is very popular in official documents. Another one is no que toca a, which is a bit more 'hands-on' and common in spoken commentary. If you want to sound like a 19th-century philosopher, you could use atendendo a. But stick to relativamente a for 90% of your professional needs. It’s the perfect balance of 'I am smart' and 'I am efficient'.

Is it the same as 'about'? Mostly, yes. But it's formal. Use sobre for casual talk and relativamente a for emails or speeches. Can I use it with people? Yes! You can say Relativamente ao João... (Regarding João...). Is it common in Brazil? It is used, but em relação a is much more frequent in Brazilian daily life. Relativamente a sounds very 'Lisbon office'. Does the 'a' always change? Yes! It merges with the article. a + o = ao, a + os = aos, a + a = à, a + as = às. If there's no article, it stays as a. Is it okay for TikTok? Only if you are making a video about law, finance, or Portuguese grammar tips! Otherwise, it’s a bit too 'stiff' for a viral dance video.