Com relação à avaliação

Imagine you just finished a big project or a test. You want to talk about the feedback you got. You'd start by saying, Com relação à avaliação, recebi alguns comentários interessantes. (Regarding the assessment, I received some interesting comments.) It’s also great for initiating a discussion. If your boss asks about a report, you could say, Com relação à avaliação do desempenho, acho que podemos melhorar. (Regarding the performance evaluation, I think we can improve.) It’s a flexible phrase for setting the stage.

This phrase leans towards the formal side, but it’s not stiff. Think of a smart-casual outfit for Portuguese – it fits many situations. You’d use it in emails to teachers, professors, or managers. It's also fine in more serious conversations with colleagues or clients. It’s less common in super casual chats with close friends, though you *could* use it ironically! It definitely sounds more polished than just saying Sobre a avaliação (About the assessment).

• A student emailing their professor: Com relação à avaliação do último trabalho, gostaria de tirar algumas dúvidas. (Regarding the assessment of the last assignment, I'd like to clear up some doubts.)
• A manager discussing team performance: Com relação à avaliação de desempenho, precisamos definir novas metas. (Regarding the performance evaluation, we need to set new goals.)
• A doctor talking to a patient about test results: Com relação à avaliação dos seus exames, tudo parece estar bem. (Regarding the assessment of your tests, everything seems to be fine.)
• A blogger reviewing a product: Com relação à avaliação deste novo smartphone, tenho algumas observações. (Regarding the assessment of this new smartphone, I have some observations.)

Use Com relação à avaliação when you need to be clear and polite about discussing a specific assessment. This could be a school test, a job performance review, a medical test, or even a critique of a movie or book. It’s perfect when you want to sound organized and thoughtful. It helps avoid confusion by clearly stating your topic. It’s also great when you’re initiating a conversation about the assessment.

Avoid this phrase in very casual settings, like texting your best friend about your weekend plans. It might sound a bit too formal or even a little robotic. If you’re just gossiping about a friend's terrible driving test, something like E aí, como foi a prova do detran? (So, how was the driving test?) is much more natural. Also, don't use it if you haven't actually *had* an assessment yet; it implies a specific evaluation is already in progress or has concluded.

Sometimes people forget the à contraction, which is crucial here. It’s relação à (relation to the), not relação a (relation to) or relação da (relation of the). Another common slip is using it when a simpler phrase would do. For instance, saying Com relação à avaliação when you could just say Sobre o teste (About the test) might sound a bit overly formal for a casual chat.

While Com relação à avaliação is standard, you might hear slight variations. In Brazil, Em relação à avaliação is very common and practically interchangeable. In Portugal, Relativamente à avaliação is also frequently used. For a slightly less formal touch, Quanto à avaliação works well. No que diz respeito à avaliação is another formal option, similar to 'with regard to'. The core meaning remains the same across these variations: focusing on the assessment.

• What does Com relação à avaliação mean? It means 'Regarding the assessment' or 'Concerning the evaluation.'
• Is it formal? Yes, it's generally used in formal or semi-formal contexts like work or school.
• Can I use it with friends? It's a bit too formal for casual chats, but you could use it playfully.
• What's a simpler alternative? Sobre a avaliação (About the assessment) is more casual.