No que diz respeito à argumentos

Using this phrase requires a bit of grammatical agility. You start with the fixed block no que diz respeito. Then, you add the preposition a. This is where most people trip up! If the following word is masculine (like argumentos), you use either just a (for a general sense) or aos (if you are talking about specific arguments). If the word is feminine, you might need a crase (à). You’ll see this in professional emails, academic essays, and formal debates. It usually sits at the beginning of a sentence or acts as a comma-separated clause in the middle of a thought. It’s like setting the stage before the lead actor—the subject—walks on. Just don't use it to ask for more fries at a snack bar, or you'll get some very confused looks!

This is a high-level, formal expression (C1/C2 level). You will almost never hear this at a Sunday barbecue or in a casual WhatsApp group with friends. If you use it there, your friends might ask if you’ve started working for the government! It belongs in the 'Cultured' register of Portuguese. It is standard in written legal documents, scientific papers, and high-stakes business negotiations. On social media, you might see it in a long-form 'thread' on X (Twitter) or a LinkedIn post where someone is trying to establish themselves as an expert. It’s the linguistic equivalent of wearing a sharp blazer—it instantly elevates your perceived level of education.

Imagine you are in a Zoom job interview for a tech company in Lisbon. Instead of saying "About the salary..." which sounds a bit blunt, you say: No que diz respeito à remuneração, estou aberto a negociações. Boom! You sound like a pro. Or picture a travel vlogger discussing the pros and cons of a digital nomad visa: No que diz respeito à burocracia, o processo é lento. Even in a Netflix drama, a character might use this during a tense confrontation to sound cold and calculated: No que diz respeito aos nossos filhos, eu decido. It’s everywhere in the world of 'serious' Portuguese, from the subtitles of a historical documentary to the terms and conditions of your favorite app.

You should reach for this phrase whenever the context demands clarity and formality. It’s perfect for the opening of a paragraph in a cover letter. Use it when you are presenting a project at university and want to impress your professor. It’s also great for formal complaints—if an airline loses your luggage, writing an email that starts with No que diz respeito ao extravio da minha mala shows you mean business. In gaming, if you're writing a detailed strategy guide or a 'patch notes' review, this phrase helps organize your thoughts into sections. Basically, use it when you want to sound like you’ve read more than just the headlines today.

Avoid this phrase in casual, everyday interactions. If you’re texting a friend to ask if they’ve seen the new Spider-Man movie, don't say No que diz respeito ao filme... unless you’re trying to be funny. It’s too heavy for small talk. Also, avoid it if you aren't 100% sure about the preposition that follows—messing up the a/ao/à can make the formal tone backfire and make you look like you're trying too hard. It’s also not a good choice for quick commands. You wouldn't tell an Uber driver, No que diz respeito à rota, vire à esquerda. Just say Vire à esquerda. Keep the tuxedo in the closet for the wedding, not the grocery run!

The most common 'danger zone' is the crase (the accent on à). Many people think that because the phrase is formal, it always needs a crase. ✗ No que diz respeito à argumentos → ✓ No que diz respeito a argumentos. Why? Because argumentos is masculine and plural! You only use à before feminine singular words. Another mistake is forgetting the a entirely. ✗ No que diz respeito os fatos → ✓ No que diz respeito aos fatos. It’s like a puzzle; if one piece is missing, the whole thing falls apart. Also, don't confuse it with com respeito a, which is also correct but slightly different in rhythm. Consistency is key, so pick one and stick to it.

If you want the same meaning but a slightly different flavor, you can try No que tange a (even more formal, almost poetic) or Quanto a (shorter, more versatile). In Brazil, you might hear Em relação a, which is very common and slightly less 'stiff' than our main phrase. If you're in Portugal, you might notice people using Relativamente a more frequently in news broadcasts. If you want to sound ultra-modern and a bit 'corporate-speak,' you might hear people say No que toca a. It’s like choosing between different brands of high-end coffee—they all wake you up, but the aftertaste is slightly different. Use No que diz respeito a when you want the classic, timeless feel.

Is this phrase used in Brazil and Portugal? Yes! It is standard in the formal register of both variants. Does it mean 'with all due respect'? No, that would be com todo o respeito. This phrase is purely about indicating a topic. Can I use it in a text message? Only if you're being ironic or talking to your boss about something very serious. Is it always followed by a noun? Usually, yes, or a noun phrase. Is it hard to learn? It takes practice to get the a/ao/à right, but once you master it, you’ll sound incredibly articulate. Is it better than 'sobre'? In formal writing, yes. In a bar, definitely not!