No que diz respeito à constatação

You will almost always find this phrase at the very beginning of a sentence or a significant clause. It sets the stage for the noun or concept that follows. Because it ends with the feminine contracted preposition à, whatever follows must be a feminine noun or a specific concept. For example, you might say No que diz respeito à constatação de erros... (Regarding the finding of errors...). Notice how the phrase stays together as one solid block. You don't really break it up or change the order. It’s a formula. Think of it like a pre-packaged intro for your most intellectual thoughts. It’s very common in academic writing, legal briefs, and deep-dive LinkedIn articles about industry trends.

This is a 'Level 10' formality phrase. On a scale from 'pajamas' to 'tuxedo,' this is a tailored three-piece suit. You will never hear this at a Sunday barbecue or in a casual WhatsApp group with your cousins—unless someone is being incredibly sarcastic. It belongs in the world of 'O Jornal Nacional,' university theses, and corporate boardrooms. If you use this while ordering a burger, the cashier might think you're filming a comedy sketch. However, in the right context—like a job interview on Zoom or a formal email to a professor—it makes you sound incredibly sophisticated and fluent. It shows you have mastered the 'high register' of Portuguese.

Imagine you are watching a Netflix documentary about climate change. The narrator might say, No que diz respeito à constatação do aumento das temperaturas... to introduce a segment on global warming data. Or, think about a professional email from a HR department: No que diz respeito à constatação de irregularidades no ponto... (Regarding the finding of irregularities in the timesheet...). Even in a YouTube video reviewing the latest iPhone, a tech journalist might use it to sound more 'expert' when discussing a specific hardware flaw they discovered during testing. It’s the 'expert mode' of transition phrases.

Use this when you need to be precise and professional. It’s perfect for the 'Discussion' section of a scientific paper or the 'Conclusion' of a business report. It’s also great for formal debates where you want to pin down your opponent on a specific fact. If you are writing a cover letter and want to reference a specific achievement or observation about the company, this works wonders. It’s essentially a way to say 'Let's look at this specific evidence' without sounding like a child. It also helps in legal settings or when dealing with government bureaucracy in Brazil or Portugal. It commands respect and attention immediately.

Do not use this with friends. Seriously, don't. If you tell your friend, No que diz respeito à constatação de que você esqueceu minha cerveja..., they will probably laugh at you or think you're being a passive-aggressive jerk. It’s too heavy for daily life. Also, avoid using it if the 'finding' isn't actually a finding. If you're just talking about an opinion, use Quanto a or Sobre. Constatação implies proof. Using it for something trivial makes you sound like you’re trying too hard. It’s like using a chainsaw to cut a piece of cake—technically possible, but totally unnecessary and a bit weird.

The most frequent trap for learners is the 'crase' (the accent on the à). Since the phrase is respeito a + a constatação, they merge into à. Many people forget the accent and write a. Another mistake is using the wrong gender after it. Remember, constatação is feminine. Some learners also try to simplify it to No que diz respeito a constatação (without the contraction), which sounds clunky and uneducated. Finally, don't confuse constatação with contestação (which means 'dispute' or 'challenge'). Saying you're regarding the 'dispute' when you mean the 'finding' will flip your meaning upside down! ✗ No que diz respeito a constatação → ✓ No que diz respeito à constatação.

If you want to vary your formal language so you don't sound like a broken record, you have options. Relativamente à constatação is a very common synonym in Portugal. No que tange à constatação is a more 'lawyerly' version often used in Brazil. If you want to take the formality down just one notch, you can use Quanto à constatação. For the most academic vibe, try No que concerne à constatação. Each of these has the same basic meaning but changes the 'flavor' of your formality slightly. It’s like choosing between a navy blue suit and a charcoal gray one—different look, same level of seriousness.

Is this used more in Brazil or Portugal? Both! It’s standard formal Portuguese used across the Lusophone world. Is constatação always a bad thing? Not at all! You can have a constatação of success or improvement. Does it always have to be at the start of a sentence? Usually, yes, because it’s a transition phrase that sets the topic. Can I use it in a text message? Only if you are being funny or if you are texting your boss about a serious work issue. Is it the same as 'about'? Yes, but it’s about 500% more formal and specific.