Cumpre-nos informar

You use this phrase to introduce a piece of news. Usually, it's news that comes from a high-level source. The structure is quite fixed: Cumpre-nos informar followed by que (that) and then your message. For example, Cumpre-nos informar que o seu contrato foi renovado. (It is our duty to inform you that your contract has been renewed). It uses the verb cumprir, which means to fulfill or to comply. The -nos is the 'us' part. Even if it's just one person writing the email, using 'us' makes it sound more institutional. It's like the 'Royal We' but for bureaucrats. You'll mostly find this at the very beginning of a letter or email. It sets the tone immediately. Don't try to get fancy with the word order. Keep it simple. It's a block of granite; you don't want to chip it.

We are at the top of the mountain here. This is C1/C2 territory. It is 'very formal.' You would never, ever say this to a friend unless you were being extremely sarcastic. If you used this at a bar, people would look for your secret service earpiece. It belongs in legal documents, corporate layoffs, official government decrees, or very high-end customer service. It creates a linguistic barrier between the speaker and the listener. This distance is intentional. It protects the speaker from the emotional impact of the news. If a bank is taking your house, they don't want to be your friend. They want to be an institution. This phrase helps them stay in character. It's the language of the 'Estado' (State) and the 'Corporação' (Corporation).

You’ll see this on your bank statements or in emails from the tax office. If you're a freelancer, you might get a Cumpre-nos informar when a big platform changes its terms of service. In movies, a lawyer might stand up in court and say it. It’s also common in 'condomínio' (apartment building) notices. Imagine a sign in the elevator: Cumpre-nos informar que o elevador estará em manutenção. It sounds much more 'official' than just saying 'the lift is broken.' It sounds like the building management has had a meeting, consulted the laws of physics, and made a solemn decree. It’s also the phrase used for the most dreaded news: layoffs. Cumpre-nos informar que a sua posição foi eliminada. It’s the sound of a corporate axe falling.

Use it when you need to sound like an authority. If you are writing a formal complaint to a company, you might use it to sound more serious. If you are representing a group of people, it’s perfect. It’s great for formal announcements. Use it when you want to signal that you are following a specific rule or law. It’s the 'Final Boss' of professional emails. If you are a landlord and you need to tell a tenant the rent is going up, this phrase gives you a shield of professionalism. It says, 'I'm not being mean; I'm just a landlord doing landlord things.' It's also useful in academic writing when announcing the results of a study or a board decision.

Do not use this with your family. Seriously, don't. ✗ Mãe, cumpre-nos informar que a janta está fria. (Mom, it is our duty to inform you that dinner is cold). She will probably hit you with a wooden spoon. Do not use it on social media unless you are a brand account. If you post a photo of your new dog with Cumpre-nos informar que o Rex chegou, your friends will think you've joined a cult. Avoid it in casual texts, even to your boss if you have a friendly relationship. It’s too heavy for a Tuesday afternoon chat. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to a beach party. You’ll just look out of place and a bit weird.

The most common mistake is forgetting the -nos. People often say ✗ Cumpre informar or ✗ Cumpre-me informar. While cumpre-me is technically correct for one person, it sounds incredibly arrogant, like you think you're the Pope. Stick to -nos to sound like a professional organization. Another mistake is using it for good, casual news. ✗ Cumpre-nos informar que ganhamos o jogo de futebol! It sounds like the win was a legal requirement rather than a fun event. Also, learners often misplace the clitic -nos. In Portugal, it’s Cumpre-nos. In Brazil, in very formal writing, you might see Nos cumpre informar, but Cumpre-nos remains the gold standard for high-level formality across the Lusophone world.

If Cumpre-nos informar is too much, you can try Vimos por este meio informar (We come by this means to inform). This is also formal but feels a bit more like a standard business letter. Another one is Cabe-nos informar (It falls to us to inform). This is almost identical in weight but feels slightly more about responsibility. For something a tiny bit softer, use Lamentamos informar (We regret to inform). This is the one you get when you didn't get the job. If the news is good, you'd use Temos o prazer de informar (We have the pleasure to inform). That’s the one we all want to see in our inbox!

Can I use this in a job interview? Only if you are the one interviewing and you are making an official statement. If you are the candidate, it will make you sound like a robot. Is it only for groups? No, an individual can use -nos when acting on behalf of a role (like a manager or secretary). Is it common in Brazil? Yes, it's used in formal law and business, though Brazilians might prefer Gostaríamos de informar for a slightly less 'cold' feel. Does it always mean bad news? Not always! It just means 'mandatory' news. It could be about a tax refund. But let’s be honest, usually, mandatory news isn't a party invitation. It's the language of responsibility, not fun.