No que diz respeito à discussão

You place this phrase at the very beginning of a sentence to set the stage. It’s an 'introductory clause' that prepares the ground for your main point. Think of it as the 'Subject' line in an email, but spoken out loud. You follow it with a comma, then your actual observation. For example, No que diz respeito à discussão, eu concordo com o plano. (Regarding the discussion, I agree with the plan). You can also use it in the middle of a paragraph to pivot. If you’ve been talking about budgets and want to switch back to the main debate, this is your bridge. It works best when there is already an ongoing conversation. You wouldn't walk up to a stranger at a bus stop and start with this unless you wanted them to think you’re a lost philosophy professor.

This phrase lives in the 'Formal' to 'Very Formal' neighborhood. You will see it in newspapers like *Público* or *Folha de S.Paulo*, hear it in academic lectures, or use it in a business email to your boss's boss. It is not something you’d use while yelling at the TV during a football match. If you say this to a friend while deciding which pizza to order, they might ask if you’ve recently joined a law firm. However, in a professional or academic setting, it’s a gold star for your vocabulary. It shows you aren't just using basic 'português de sobrevivência' (survival Portuguese) but are actually mastering the nuances of high-level discourse. It’s the 'tuxedo' of introductory phrases.

You’re writing a LinkedIn post about a recent industry debate. You start a paragraph with: No que diz respeito à discussão sobre IA, precisamos ser cautelosos. (Regarding the discussion about AI, we need to be cautious). Or maybe you’re at a parent-teacher meeting. The teacher is talking about grades, but you want to talk about the recent playground argument. You say: No que diz respeito à discussão de ontem, meu filho está arrependido. (Regarding yesterday's discussion, my son is sorry). It’s also common in legal documents. You might see a lawyer write: No que diz respeito à discussão dos termos contratuais... (Regarding the discussion of the contractual terms...). It’s the perfect way to sound like you have a degree in 'Being Very Serious.'

Use it when you want to sound organized. It’s great for job interviews when the recruiter asks about a specific project. Use it in essays or formal reports to structure your arguments. It’s also perfect for replying to a long, messy WhatsApp group thread where you only want to address one specific part of the chaos. It’s a 'clean-up' phrase. It organizes the mental space of everyone listening. If you’re giving a presentation and you want to move from 'Introduction' to 'Core Analysis,' this phrase is your best friend. It acts as a clear signpost that says, 'Hey, look here now!'

Avoid this phrase in casual settings. Don't use it while texting your best friend about a meme. No que diz respeito à discussão sobre o gato voador... sounds like you’re writing a thesis on internet humor. Also, don't use it if you haven't actually been part of the discussion. It sounds a bit arrogant to 'regard' a discussion you weren't invited to. Don't use it when you need to be quick and dirty. If the house is on fire, don't say, No que diz respeito à discussão sobre para onde correr... Just run! It’s too long and 'wordy' for emergencies or high-energy social situations. Keep it for the office, the classroom, or the formal letter.

A very common mistake is forgetting the 'à' (the 'a' with the accent). People often write No que diz respeito a discussão. That’s a no-go. The verb respeitar here functions in a way that requires the preposition a. When it meets the feminine article a (from a discussão), they merge into à.

Another mistake is using respeito as a verb instead of a noun in this specific construction. You can't say No que diz respeita.... It has to be the noun respeito within the fixed expression. It's a set piece; don't try to rearrange the furniture!

You might hear Quanto à discussão which is a slightly shorter, punchier version. It means the same thing but feels a bit less 'legalistic.' Another one is Relativamente à discussão, which is very common in Portugal. It’s just as formal but uses a different root word. If you want to be even more fancy (yes, it’s possible), you could say No que tange à discussão. Tange comes from the verb tanger (to touch), so it literally means 'In that which touches the discussion.' It’s peak intellectualism. Use that one if you’re trying to win a debate against a literal dictionary.

Is this only for talking? No, it’s actually more common in writing. Is it used in Brazil and Portugal? Yes, it’s universally understood and used in both. Is it the same as 'About the discussion'? Mostly, but it’s much more formal. Can I use it for other topics? Absolutely! You can say No que diz respeito ao clima (Regarding the weather) or No que diz respeito ao projeto (Regarding the project). It’s a flexible template. Does it make me sound like a lawyer? A little bit, but in a good way—like a lawyer who is also very helpful and polite.