No que diz respeito à conceitos

Using this phrase is all about timing. You usually place it at the beginning of a sentence to set the stage or in the middle to shift gears. For example, if you are discussing a new project, you might say, No que diz respeito ao orçamento... (Regarding the budget...). Notice how the end of the phrase changes depending on what follows. If the next word is masculine like orçamento, you use ao. If it’s feminine like logística, you use à. If you are talking about conceitos (concepts) in a general sense, you just use a. It’s like a Lego piece that needs the right connector to snap into the rest of the sentence. Don't let the grammar scare you; it's mostly about matching the 'a' with the gender of your topic.

This is a high-register expression. You will find it in academic essays, legal documents, news reports, and job interviews. It is not something you would typically shout across a football pitch or text to your best friend about a pizza topping—unless you’re being intentionally ironic. If you use it in a very casual setting, you might sound a bit like a Victorian professor lost in a shopping mall. However, on LinkedIn or in a professional email, it is pure gold. It shows you have a command of the language’s more complex structures. It’s for when you want to be taken seriously.

Imagine you are at a tech conference. A speaker might say, No que diz respeito à inovação, nossa empresa lidera o mercado. (Regarding innovation, our company leads the market.) Or picture a food critic writing: No que diz respeito ao sabor, o prato estava impecável. (Regarding the flavor, the dish was impeccable.) You’ll also see it on TikTok when 'finfluencers' explain market trends: No que diz respeito a investimentos de risco, cautela é fundamental. (Regarding risky investments, caution is key.) It’s everywhere where information needs to be categorized and delivered with a bit of 'oomph.' It’s the 'professional' filter for your thoughts.

Use it when you need to be precise. It’s perfect for the 'Limitations' section of a thesis or when answering a multi-part question in a Zoom meeting. If someone asks, 'What do you think of the new design and the price?', you can respond, No que diz respeito ao design, eu adorei... to handle one part at a time. It’s also great for social media captions where you want to sound authoritative or 'curated.' If you’re travel vlogging and want to discuss the safety of a city, this phrase sets a serious, helpful tone for that specific segment of your video.

Avoid this phrase in high-intensity, emotional, or extremely casual moments. If your house is on fire, don't say, No que diz respeito ao fogo, ele está aumentando. Just yell 'Fogo!' If you’re ordering a burger via an app, don't write in the notes: No que diz respeito à cebola, eu não a quero. It’s too heavy for small talk. Also, avoid overusing it in a single paragraph. Using it three times in five sentences makes you sound like a robot that just learned a new line of code. Diversity is the spice of life, even in formal Portuguese!

The absolute biggest mistake is the 'crase' (the accent on à). Many people write à conceitos. This is a grammar crime! You only use the accent if you have a feminine noun following it. Since conceitos is masculine and plural, you should use a (general) or aos (specific).

• ✗ No que diz respeito à conceitos → ✓ No que diz respeito a conceitos
• ✗ No que diz respeito à o preço → ✓ No que diz respeito ao preço

Another mistake is forgetting the que. People sometimes say No diz respeito a, which sounds like a broken radio. Always keep the full structure intact: No que diz respeito a.

Portuguese loves synonyms. If you want to switch it up, you can use Quanto a (As for), which is slightly less formal but still very professional. Another great one is Em relação a (In relation to). If you want to sound even more like a lawyer, try No tocante a (In regard to). For something a bit more modern and sleek, Relativamente a works beautifully. These are like different filters on Instagram—they all change the 'look' of the sentence slightly, but the core 'subject' remains the same. Pick the one that fits your 'vibe' for the day.

Is it okay to use this in a WhatsApp group? Yes, if it’s a work group or if you’re being funny. Otherwise, it might be a bit much.

Can I say 'No que diz respeito de'? No, the preposition is always 'a'. Think of 'a' as the only invited guest to this party.

Is it the same as 'sobre'? Yes, in meaning, but 'sobre' is a t-shirt and 'no que diz respeito a' is a tailored blazer.

Why is there no 'à' before concepts? Because 'conceitos' is a 'he' (masculine) and 'à' is only for 'she' (feminine). Grammar is picky like that!