No que diz respeito à investigação

Grammatically, this is a fixed expression followed by a noun. The most important part for you to master is the tiny letter à. Because the word investigação is feminine, the preposition a (to) merges with the article a (the) to create the à with a back-tick (crase). If you were talking about a masculine word, like a process, it would be No que diz respeito ao processo. You can drop this into the start of a sentence to set the stage: No que diz respeito à investigação, temos novos dados. (Regarding the investigation, we have new data). Or, you can tuck it into the middle of a sentence to pivot topics gracefully. It functions as a transition. Think of it as a bridge. On one side, you have the general chaos of a conversation, and on the other, you have the organized, specific details of the case at hand. It is extremely common in written reports, news broadcasts, and formal debates. If you use it while texting your best friend about who ate the last slice of pizza, you are definitely being sarcastic—and probably hilarious.

This phrase lives in the 'Very Formal' neighborhood. You will find it in the 'Opinion' section of a high-end newspaper like *Público* or *Folha de S.Paulo*, or hear it during a press conference by a government official. It is not something you’d hear at a Sunday barbecue while someone is flipping burgers. Using this in a casual setting is like wearing a tuxedo to the beach—it’s technically possible, but everyone will look at you a bit funny. However, in a job interview on Zoom or while writing a formal email to a client, it is pure gold. it signals that you have a high level of education and a strong command of the language's nuances. It is the language of the 'Adult in the Room.' If you are aiming for a C1 or C2 level of proficiency, mastering these long-form connectors is essential. They move you away from simple, 'broken' sentences and toward a fluid, professional flow. Just remember: with great power comes great responsibility. Don't use it three times in one paragraph or you'll sound like a robot that just swallowed a dictionary.

You might see this on a Netflix subtitles track during a crime drama like *Bom Dia, Verônica*. A detective might say, No que diz respeito à investigação, o suspeito ainda está foragido. (As for the investigation, the suspect is still at large). In the world of social media, a journalist might tweet a thread about a corporate scandal, starting a post with No que diz respeito à investigação da CVM... to signal the specific focus of that update. Even in academic settings, a student defending their thesis might use it to transition from their methodology to their findings. It’s also a favorite of lawyers in Portugal and Brazil when they want to be extremely precise about which part of a case they are discussing. If you’re following a viral news story on TikTok, the creator might use it to sound more authoritative while 'storytelling' the facts. It’s a phrase that demands a certain level of silence and attention from the audience once it’s uttered.

Use this when you need to be professional, precise, and clear. It’s perfect for the opening of a formal letter or an executive summary. If you are participating in a debate or a structured meeting, this phrase is your best friend for switching topics without interrupting the flow. No que diz respeito à allows you to change the subject while still sounding connected to the previous point. It’s also great for when you want to distance yourself emotionally from a topic—by using such a formal structure, you’re treating the subject as a cold, hard fact rather than a personal opinion. It’s very useful in 'damage control' scenarios; for example, if a company is facing a PR crisis, the spokesperson will use this to address specific allegations with a sense of gravity and seriousness. Basically, whenever the situation calls for a 'serious face,' this phrase should be in your pocket.

Do not use this with your grandmother, unless you are discussing a literal police investigation she is involved in (and even then, maybe just use sobre). It is too heavy for casual WhatsApp groups or hanging out at a café. If you say, No que diz respeito à minha fome, quero um hambúrguer (Regarding my hunger, I want a burger), you are being incredibly extra. While funny once, it gets old fast. Also, avoid using it if you aren't 100% sure about the gender of the noun that follows. Using à with a masculine noun is a glaring error that will ruin the sophisticated vibe you're trying to build. If the topic is light, funny, or very personal, stick to simpler words like sobre or quanto a. This phrase is a heavy-duty tool—don't use a sledgehammer to hang a tiny picture frame.

The absolute classic mistake is forgetting the 'crase' (the à). Learners often write a or á, but it must be à because it’s a contraction. Another mistake is mixing up the preposition. Some people try to say No que diz respeito com... which is a direct (and wrong) translation from other languages. It must always be a. ✗ No que diz respeito com a investigação → ✓ No que diz respeito à investigação. Also, watch out for the verb conjugation. Diz is for singular topics. If you were somehow talking about multiple things 'saying respect,' the structure changes, but for 99% of cases, stick to diz respeito a. Finally, don't forget the No que part. Some learners try to shorten it to Diz respeito à... which changes the meaning to 'It is the responsibility of...' rather than 'Regarding...'

If you want to mix it up so you don't repeat yourself, you can use Relativamente à investigação. This is just as formal and follows the same grammar rules with the à. Another great one is No que tange à investigação. This is even more formal—almost 'final boss' level of Portuguese. If you're looking for something slightly less stiff but still professional, try Quanto à investigação. This is the 'business casual' version. It’s still polished, but it doesn't feel like you’re wearing a three-piece suit. In Brazil, you might hear Em relação à investigação, which is very common and perhaps a bit more versatile than the 'diz respeito' version. Knowing these variations will stop your writing from sounding repetitive, which is a hallmark of a C1 learner.

Is it only for police investigations? No! It can be a market investigation, a scientific investigation (research), or a private investigation. Does it work for people? Usually, no. You wouldn't say No que diz respeito ao João unless João is a topic of study. Use Quanto ao João instead. Is it common in Brazil? Yes, though Brazilians might slightly prefer Em relação a. Is the à always necessary? Only if the following word is feminine and singular. If it's plural, it's às. If it's masculine, it's ao. Does it sound old-fashioned? Not at all; it sounds educated and modern in the right context. Can I use it in an essay? Absolutely, it’s a high-scoring connector for exams like the CAPLE or CELPE-Bras.