Concernente à observação

In Portuguese, this phrase usually sits right at the beginning of a sentence. It sets the stage for the topic you are about to discuss. You follow it with a comma and then your main point. For example, Concernente à observação feita pelo diretor, concordo plenamente. (Regarding the observation made by the director, I fully agree). Remember the little accent on the à! This is the 'crase,' and it's mandatory here because concernente needs the preposition a, and observação is a feminine noun. It's like the secret handshake of formal Portuguese grammar. Without it, you're just a person in a nice suit with one shoe missing. Use it to keep your business emails sharp and your academic papers impressive.

This phrase lives in the 'Very Formal' neighborhood. You will find it in legal documents, medical reports, and high-level corporate emails. It’s the kind of language you use when you want to avoid any ambiguity. If you used this while ordering a burger on UberEats, the delivery driver would probably think you’re a time-traveling lawyer from 1920. It belongs on LinkedIn, not in a TikTok comment section. In a professional Zoom call, it signals that you are moving to a specific agenda item. It’s polite but distant—the verbal version of a firm, dry handshake.

Imagine you are reading a feedback report on your latest project. At the bottom, there is a note about the color scheme. When you reply to your boss, you start with: Concernente à observação sobre o design, já solicitamos as alterações. You’ll also see this in Netflix subtitles for period dramas or legal thrillers. If a scientist is documenting a rare bird sighting, their report might begin with Concernente à observação do espécime... Even in modern apps, if you are filing a formal dispute or a bug report, using this phrase helps the support team realize you are serious. It’s the ultimate 'let's get down to business' starter pack.

You should pull this phrase out of your pocket when you need to be extremely clear. Use it when referencing a specific clause in a contract or a specific piece of feedback. It’s great for formal replies where 'Sobre' (About) feels too casual or lazy. If you are writing a letter to a government agency or a university department, this is your best friend. It shows you have a high level of Portuguese and respect the formality of the institution. It’s also useful in debates to pinpoint exactly which part of your opponent's argument you are dissecting. Precision is power, and this phrase is a scalpel.

Please, for the love of all that is holy, do not use this with your friends. If you text your bestie, Concernente à observação que você fez sobre o meu crush... they will think you’ve been hacked by a robot. Avoid it in casual WhatsApp groups, at the dinner table, or when chatting with your barista. It’s too heavy for everyday life. Using it in casual settings makes you sound 'pedante' (pretentious). If the vibe is relaxed, stick to Sobre or A respeito de. Don't use it if you aren't 100% sure what the 'observation' was, as it implies a very specific reference point. It’s a laser beam, not a floodlight.

The biggest trap is forgetting the 'crase' on the à. It’s not just a, it’s à. ✗ Concernente a observação → ✓ Concernente à observação. Another mistake is using it for general topics. You don't say Concernente à observação do futebol if you just want to talk about soccer. That makes no sense! It must refer to a specific remark or sighting. Also, avoid 'stacking' it with other formal words like No que tange concernente à observação. That’s just linguistic overkill. Pick one formal path and stay on it. Lastly, don't forget the comma after the phrase; your sentence needs to breathe!

If concernente feels a bit too stiff, you can try Relativo à observação (Relative to the observation). It’s still formal but slightly more modern. Another option is No que diz respeito à observação (In what regards the observation), which is very common in presentations. If you want to sound like a legal genius, go with No que tange à observação. For something a tiny bit softer, Quanto à observação works wonders. In Portugal, you might hear No que toca à observação more often. All of these require the 'crase,' so keep that accent key ready! It’s like choosing between different shades of blue for your suit—they all look professional.

Is this phrase common in Brazil? Yes, but only in formal writing or professional speeches. Can I use it in an email? Absolutely, it's perfect for business correspondence. Why is it 'à' and not 'a'? Because it's a contraction of the preposition 'a' and the article 'a'. Does 'observação' always mean a comment? Usually in this context, yes, but it can also mean a scientific sighting. Can I use it for plural notes? Yes, just change it to Concernente às observações. Is there a shorter version? Not really, you'd just use a different word like Sobre. Is it considered old-fashioned? It’s formal, but not outdated—it’s still standard in law and business today.