A2 Expression Formal

a tal proposito

in this regard

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A sophisticated way to say 'regarding this' or 'on this matter' to link your ideas smoothly.

  • Means: Concerning the specific point just mentioned in the conversation.
  • Used in: Emails, business meetings, and polite academic or professional discussions.
  • Don't confuse: With 'a proposito', which often means 'by the way'.
Current Topic 🗣️ + a tal proposito 🔗 = Professional Detail 🎯

Explanation at your level:

This phrase is like saying 'about this'. You use it when you want to say one more thing about the topic you are talking about. It is a bit formal, so you might see it in a book or a polite email. Just remember: first say something, then say 'A tal proposito,' and then add your next idea.
At this level, you can use 'a tal proposito' to make your writing sound more professional. It means 'concerning this matter'. Use it to connect two sentences that talk about the same thing. For example: 'I am going to Rome. Regarding this, I need a hotel.' It helps your sentences flow together instead of sounding like a list.
As an intermediate learner, you should recognize 'a tal proposito' as a key transition for formal contexts. It functions as an anaphoric reference, meaning it points back to a previously mentioned concept. It is particularly useful in work emails or when giving a short presentation to avoid repeating the subject noun too many times. It shows you can handle more complex sentence structures.
At the B2 level, you should distinguish between 'a tal proposito' and 'a proposito'. While the latter can be used to introduce a related but new thought (like 'by the way'), 'a tal proposito' is strictly for deepening the current topic. It is a hallmark of the 'registro formale' and is essential for passing certification exams like CILS or CELI where discourse cohesion is evaluated.
For advanced learners, 'a tal proposito' is a tool for nuanced rhetorical cohesion. It allows for thematic progression without the clunkiness of repeating demonstrative pronouns like 'riguardo a questo'. It fits within a suite of formal connectors (in merito, a riguardo, in tale ambito) that allow the speaker to vary their vocabulary while maintaining a sophisticated, consultative register in academic or legal discourse.
At this level of mastery, 'a tal proposito' is understood as a functional element of textual architecture. It facilitates the 'isotopia' of the text—maintaining a consistent thread of meaning. The speaker uses it to manage the 'topic-comment' structure of their sentences, ensuring that the 'proposito' (the theme) is clearly linked to the subsequent 'rheme' (the new information), demonstrating near-native control over Italian's stylistic conventions.

Meaning

Concerning this topic.

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Cultural Background

In Italy, using precise connectors like 'a tal proposito' is seen as a sign of 'buona educazione' (good upbringing/education). It helps navigate the formal 'Lei' register. Italian universities emphasize oral exams (esami orali). Students use this phrase to show they can construct a logical argument on the fly. Italian official documents (burocratese) are famous for being wordy. 'A tal proposito' is a staple of this style, used to link various clauses and laws. Italian news anchors use this phrase constantly to transition between a news report and an expert interview.

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The Comma Rule

Always put a comma after 'A tal proposito' when it starts a sentence. It gives the reader a moment to process the transition.

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

Using it in every paragraph makes your writing sound like a legal contract. Mix it up with 'inoltre' or 'in aggiunta'.

Meaning

Concerning this topic.

💡

The Comma Rule

Always put a comma after 'A tal proposito' when it starts a sentence. It gives the reader a moment to process the transition.

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

Using it in every paragraph makes your writing sound like a legal contract. Mix it up with 'inoltre' or 'in aggiunta'.

🎯

Email Mastery

Use it in the second sentence of a professional email to immediately show you are addressing the recipient's previous point.

💬

The Polite Pivot

In a meeting, use it to politely interrupt: 'Scusi, a tal proposito vorrei dire...'

Test Yourself

Choose the best phrase to complete the formal email.

Gentile Direttore, ho letto il Suo rapporto. ________, vorrei suggerire alcune modifiche.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a

'A tal proposito' correctly links the suggestion to the report mentioned in the first sentence.

Fill in the missing words to complete the transition.

Il meteo prevede pioggia. A ___ _________, prenderò l'ombrello.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: tal proposito

The phrase 'a tal proposito' connects the fact (rain) with the consequence (umbrella).

Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.

A: Dobbiamo organizzare la conferenza. B: ________, ho già contattato l'hotel.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a

Speaker B is providing a specific detail about the conference organization mentioned by Speaker A.

Match the sentence to the correct context.

A tal proposito, Le invio i documenti richiesti.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a

The use of 'Le' (formal you) and 'a tal proposito' indicates a professional/formal context.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

A Tal Proposito vs A Proposito

A Tal Proposito
Stay on topic Regarding this...
A Proposito
Change topic By the way...

Frequently Asked Questions

14 questions

Yes, usually. In a text to a friend, just say 'riguardo a questo' or 'su questo'.

Yes, it is grammatically correct but sounds more old-fashioned or very formal.

'A tal proposito' means 'regarding this specific thing'. 'A proposito' means 'by the way' (introducing something new).

Usually, but it can also follow a semicolon or be placed after the verb in some formal structures.

Yes, it is standard Italian used throughout the peninsula, especially in formal education and work.

No, because it needs to refer to something already said. You can't have a 'proposito' without a previous context.

Extremely common. You will find it in everything from Manzoni to modern essays.

'A tal proposito' is the most accurate and professional translation.

Highly recommended! It makes you sound organized and articulate.

There isn't a direct opposite, but 'cambiando completamente discorso' (changing the subject completely) is the functional opposite.

It is always 'a tal'. 'Al tal' is incorrect.

Yes. 'A tal proposito, ho deciso...' is perfectly fine.

No, in this fixed expression, it stays 'tal' even if referring to multiple points.

Yes, often to translate formal English transitions in legal or corporate dramas.

Related Phrases

🔄

a questo proposito

synonym

Regarding this

🔗

a proposito

similar

By the way

🔄

in merito

synonym

About it / Regarding it

🔄

riguardo a ciò

synonym

Concerning that

🔗

per quanto riguarda

builds on

As far as ... is concerned

Where to Use It

💼

Job Interview

Interviewer: Abbiamo bisogno di qualcuno che conosca bene il mercato estero.

Candidate: A tal proposito, ho lavorato tre anni a Londra come export manager.

formal
🎧

Customer Service

Customer: Il mio pacco non è ancora arrivato.

Agent: A tal proposito, ho appena controllato il tracking e risulta in consegna.

formal
🎓

University Lecture

Professor: Dante usa molte metafore religiose. A tal proposito, analizziamo il Canto I.

Student: Professore, a tal proposito, posso fare una domanda sul simbolismo della selva?

formal
🏥

Doctor's Visit

Doctor: Deve fare queste analisi del sangue. A tal proposito, le scrivo l'impegnativa.

Patient: Grazie dottore. A tal proposito, devo essere a digiuno?

neutral
🏠

Real Estate Viewing

Agent: L'appartamento è molto luminoso. A tal proposito, guardi che bella vista!

Client: È vero. A tal proposito, le spese condominiali sono incluse?

neutral
💻

Tech Support Chat

User: L'app si chiude improvvisamente.

Support: A tal proposito, potrebbe dirmi quale versione del sistema operativo usa?

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tal' as 'Tell'. 'A tal proposito' = 'To tell more about this purpose'.

Visual Association

Imagine a physical bridge connecting two islands. The first island is your first sentence, and the bridge is labeled 'A Tal Proposito', leading you directly to the next island (your next point).

Rhyme

Se il discorso vuoi legare, 'a tal proposito' devi usare.

Story

A businessman is giving a speech. He keeps jumping between topics and everyone is confused. A wise tutor hands him a sign that says 'A Tal Proposito'. He starts using it to link his ideas, and suddenly, the whole room understands his vision perfectly.

Word Web

propositoproporreriguardomeritoinerentecollegamentotransizione

Challenge

Write three professional emails today (real or practice). In each one, use 'a tal proposito' to link a statement to a follow-up action or detail.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Al respecto / A tal propósito

Italian 'a tal proposito' is more common in daily emails than the Spanish 'a tal propósito'.

French high

À ce propos

French often uses 'à ce sujet' as a very close alternative, whereas Italian 'a tal proposito' is more fixed.

German moderate

In diesem Zusammenhang

The German version is longer and sounds even more formal than the Italian one.

Japanese moderate

それに関しては (Sore ni kan-shite wa)

Japanese requires specific politeness markers that Italian doesn't have.

Arabic high

في هذا الصدد (Fī hādhā al-ṣadad)

It is strictly formal and rarely used in spoken dialects.

Chinese moderate

关于这一点 (Guānyú zhè yīdiǎn)

Chinese focuses on the 'point' (diǎn) rather than the 'purpose'.

Korean high

이와 관련하여 (I-wa gwan-ryeon-hayeo)

Like Japanese, it is heavily tied to the level of formality of the verb ending.

Portuguese high

A esse respeito

Portuguese speakers might use 'a propósito' more broadly than Italians.

Easily Confused

a tal proposito vs A proposito

Learners use 'a proposito' when they should use 'a tal proposito'.

Use 'a tal proposito' to STAY on the topic. Use 'a proposito' to CHANGE the topic (By the way).

a tal proposito vs In proposito

Very similar, but 'in proposito' is less common as a sentence starter.

Stick to 'a tal proposito' for transitions; use 'in proposito' after a verb like 'dire' (e.g., 'Cosa hai detto in proposito?').

FAQ (14)

Yes, usually. In a text to a friend, just say 'riguardo a questo' or 'su questo'.

Yes, it is grammatically correct but sounds more old-fashioned or very formal.

'A tal proposito' means 'regarding this specific thing'. 'A proposito' means 'by the way' (introducing something new).

Usually, but it can also follow a semicolon or be placed after the verb in some formal structures.

Yes, it is standard Italian used throughout the peninsula, especially in formal education and work.

No, because it needs to refer to something already said. You can't have a 'proposito' without a previous context.

Extremely common. You will find it in everything from Manzoni to modern essays.

'A tal proposito' is the most accurate and professional translation.

Highly recommended! It makes you sound organized and articulate.

There isn't a direct opposite, but 'cambiando completamente discorso' (changing the subject completely) is the functional opposite.

It is always 'a tal'. 'Al tal' is incorrect.

Yes. 'A tal proposito, ho deciso...' is perfectly fine.

No, in this fixed expression, it stays 'tal' even if referring to multiple points.

Yes, often to translate formal English transitions in legal or corporate dramas.

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