Concernente à argumentação

You use this phrase as a transition. It usually sits at the start of a sentence to set the stage for what’s coming next. Because it uses the word argumentação, it implies there is a structure to what was said. You aren't just talking about a random topic; you are talking about the *way* someone tried to prove a point. Think of it as a laser pointer for your conversation. You point it at the other person's logic before you deliver your own. It requires the preposition à (with the accent called crase) because concernente requires a, and argumentação is a feminine noun. If you forget the accent, the grammar police might not arrest you, but your Portuguese teacher will definitely shed a single, silent tear.

This is not a phrase for the beach. If you say concernente à argumentação while ordering a caipirinha, the waiter might think you're looking for a debate instead of a drink. It lives in the "Formal" to "Very Formal" neighborhood. You’ll find it in academic papers, legal briefs, LinkedIn articles, and high-stakes corporate Zoom calls. It’s perfect for when you want to disagree with someone politely. Instead of saying "I think you're wrong," you say "Concernente à argumentação apresentada..." and then explain why they are wrong. It’s the linguistic version of a velvet glove covering a steel fist. If you're texting your best friend about what to eat for dinner, stick to sobre. Save this one for when your career or your grade is on the line.

Imagine you are watching a video essay on YouTube about the ending of a complex movie. The creator makes a point about the protagonist's motives. You might comment: Concernente à argumentação do vídeo, acredito que o final foi metafórico. This shows you're a serious viewer. Or, picture a job interview where they ask you to critique a business case. You could start with: Concernente à argumentação financeira, vejo alguns riscos. It immediately makes you sound like a consultant who charges $500 an hour. In a more modern twist, you might see it used ironically on Twitter (X) when someone is over-analyzing a meme, though that's rare because it’s a lot of characters to type!

Use it when you need to be specific and professional. It’s great for peer reviews, feedback on a project, or during a formal debate in a university setting. It’s also incredibly useful in written Portuguese. If you are writing an email to a professor or a client, this phrase helps organize your thoughts. It tells the reader exactly which part of their previous message you are responding to. It is also a fantastic way to slow down a heated discussion. By using formal language, you force the conversation into a more rational, less emotional space. It's like calling a "time-out" for the brain.

Avoid this phrase in casual settings like family dinners, dates, or WhatsApp groups with friends. If you say this to your partner while arguing about who forgot to take out the trash, you are going to sound incredibly condescending. Nobody likes a person who brings a textbook to a knife fight. Also, avoid using it if the "argument" in question was just a simple statement of fact. If someone says "It's raining," replying with concernente à argumentação makes no sense because there was no reasoning involved. It's for logic, not for weather reports. If you use it too much in one paragraph, you'll end up sounding like a robot trying to pass for a 19th-century philosopher.

One of the biggest pitfalls is the à. Many people write concernente a argumentação without the accent. This is a classic "crase" error. Another mistake is using it as a synonym for "about" in every context.

• ✗ Concernente à argumentação, o bolo estava uma delícia. → ✓ Sobre o bolo, ele estava uma delícia. (Unless the cake was trying to prove a philosophical point, this is just weird.)
• ✗ Eu falei concernente à argumentação com ele. → ✓ Eu falei sobre a argumentação com ele. (You usually use the phrase to *introduce* a point, not as a direct object.)
• ✗ Concernente à os argumentos... → ✓ Concernente aos argumentos... (Remember to pluralize! A + os = aos.)

If you find concernente a bit too mouthful, you can use relativamente à argumentação. It’s equally formal but slightly more common in European Portuguese. Another option is quanto à argumentação, which is a bit more versatile and works well in semi-formal contexts. If you want to be even more "lawyer-like," you could try no que tange à argumentação. That one is the final boss of formal transitions. For something a bit lighter but still professional, em relação à argumentação is your best friend. It’s like the business-casual version of our main phrase—it works with a suit, but also with a nice pair of jeans.

Is this phrase common in Brazil? Yes, but mostly in writing and formal speech. You won't hear it at the supermarket, but you'll definitely see it in a newspaper editorial. Is it different in Portugal? The meaning is the same, but Portuguese people might prefer relativamente a. Can I use it in a text message? Only if you are being funny or if you are texting your boss about something very serious. Otherwise, you'll look like you're trying too hard. Does it always need the accent? Yes, if it's followed by argumentação (singular feminine), you need that à. It’s the law of the language! Is argumentação the same as a fight? Not really. An argumentação is a set of logical steps. A fight is a briga. Don't confuse the two, or you'll be trying to use logic on someone who just wants to yell!