Por esta razão

Using it is like building a Lego bridge. You have your first block (the situation) and your second block (the result). Por esta razão is the connector in the middle. Usually, you’ll find it at the start of a new sentence. For example: "The Wi-Fi is down. Por esta razão, I cannot join the Zoom call." Notice how it creates a pause? That pause gives your listener time to process the disaster you just described. You can also use it in the middle of a sentence with a semicolon, but starting a new sentence is much more common in modern Portuguese. It’s a versatile tool. You can use it to justify a purchase, explain a delay, or even end a relationship with a bit of class. Just don't use it to explain why you ate the last slice of pizza; that requires something much more humble.

On the formality scale, por esta razão sits comfortably in the "Formal" to "Neutral" zone. You’ll see it all over LinkedIn posts, academic essays, and news reports on Globo. If you use it while texting your best friend about a hangover, they might think you're being sarcastic or fancy. In a job interview, however, it's gold. It makes you sound like a candidate who thinks logically. It’s much more formal than the common por isso (which is the everyday "so"). Think of por isso as your favorite pair of sneakers and por esta razão as your polished leather shoes. Both get you where you're going, but one makes a much stronger impression at the gala. If you're writing an email to a client, this is your go-to phrase.

You’ll hear this in the wild more often than you think. Imagine a YouTuber explaining why they are moving to a new house. They’ll list the noise, the small kitchen, and the lack of light. Then, they’ll say: "Por esta razão, decidimos mudar." (For this reason, we decided to move). It’s also huge in the world of online shopping. A brand might post: "Our materials are sustainably sourced. Por esta razão, our prices are slightly higher." It justifies the situation. You might even see it in a Netflix subtitle during a dramatic breakup scene in a Portuguese soap opera (telenovela). "You lied to me. Por esta razão, I can never trust you again." It adds gravity to the moment. It turns a simple statement into a definitive judgment.

Use it when you want to sound authoritative. If you are writing a report, a professional email, or a speech, this is perfect. It’s also great for social media captions where you’re trying to give advice or share a "lesson learned." It works well when the cause you're describing is complex. If the reason is long and detailed, a simple "so" feels too weak. You need the strength of por esta razão to carry the weight of that explanation. It’s also useful when you want to slow down the pace of a conversation. It forces a logical beat. Use it when you want to make sure your conclusion isn't missed. It’s the "Hey, listen up, this part is important" of the grammar world.

Don't use it in super casual, rapid-fire conversations. If you're at a bar with friends and you say, "The beer is cold, por esta razão I shall drink it," you’ll sound like a 19th-century poet who took a wrong turn. It’s too heavy for small talk. Also, avoid using it repeatedly in the same paragraph. It’s a strong phrase, and like a strong perfume, a little goes a long way. If you use it three times in one email, you’ll sound like a broken robot. Avoid it when the connection is obvious. "I’m hungry, por esta razão I’m eating" is overkill. Just say "estou com fome, por isso vou comer." Keep the "big guns" for when the reason actually needs highlighting. Don't let it become a verbal tic.

The most frequent slip-up is a gender mismatch. Razão is a feminine noun in Portuguese. Therefore, you must use esta (feminine) and not este (masculine). Saying por este razão is like wearing one brown shoe and one black shoe—people will notice. Another mistake is forgetting the preposition por. Some learners try to say just esta razão, which means "this reason" but doesn't act as a connector. You need that por to create the "for" part. Also, don't confuse it with por causa de. While similar, por causa de needs to be followed by a noun (e.g., por causa da chuva), whereas por esta razão usually stands alone at the start of a result sentence.

Portuguese is rich with ways to say "because of this." The most common casual sibling is por isso. It’s short, punchy, and used 90% of the time in speech. Then you have por esse motivo, which is almost identical in formality to por esta razão but uses "motive" instead of "reason." In very formal writing, you might see por conseguinte (consequently) or destarte (thus). If you're feeling a bit more modern and tech-savvy, you might use devido a isso (due to that). In Portugal, you might hear por tal razão, which adds a tiny bit of emphasis. Think of these variations as different filters on an Instagram photo. They change the vibe slightly, but the subject remains the same.

Is it okay to use in a text message? Yes, if you're being slightly serious or explaining something important. It’s not "illegal," just a bit fancy. Can I use por essa razão? Yes! Esta usually refers to something you just said, while essa can refer to something the other person said. They are often interchangeable in casual use. Is it common in Brazil and Portugal? Absolutely. It’s a standard feature of the language across the entire Lusophone world. Is it more common than por isso? No, por isso is much more frequent in spoken language. Does it always start a sentence? Most of the time, yes. It acts as a transitional marker between two distinct thoughts. If I use it, will I sound like a native? You'll sound like a very *articulate* native speaker, which is even better!