In 15 Seconds
- A formal transition meaning 'regarding' or 'as for'.
- Best used in professional, academic, or legal contexts.
- Signals a shift in focus to a specific topic.
Meaning
A formal way to say 'regarding' or 'with respect to' specific ideas. It is used to pivot a conversation or text toward a particular topic or set of concepts.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
No tocante aos conceitos do novo projeto, acredito que estamos no caminho certo.
Regarding the concepts of the new project, I believe we are on the right track.
Writing a university essay
No tocante a conceitos sociológicos, a tese apresenta uma visão inovadora.
Regarding sociological concepts, the thesis presents an innovative view.
A formal email to a client
No tocante aos conceitos de design, enviaremos as amostras amanhã.
Regarding the design concepts, we will send the samples tomorrow.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, this phrase is often associated with 'Juridiquês' (legalese). It is frequently used by politicians during televised debates to sound more intellectual and evasive. In Portugal, the phrase is common in administrative and academic writing. It is slightly more integrated into the standard formal register than in Brazil, where it can sometimes feel archaic. In African Lusophone countries, formal Portuguese often retains a very classical, high-register feel. 'No tocante a' is standard in official government gazettes and formal education. In the 'Faria Lima' (Brazilian Wall Street) or 'Lisbon Tech' world, this phrase is being replaced by English loanwords like 'Regarding' or 'About', but it still holds power in formal contracts.
The 'Sobre' Test
If you can replace the phrase with 'sobre' and the sentence still makes sense, you are using it correctly. Use 'no tocante a' to sound 10x more professional.
Crase Alert
Never use 'à' before masculine words. This is the #1 mistake even native speakers make with this phrase.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal transition meaning 'regarding' or 'as for'.
- Best used in professional, academic, or legal contexts.
- Signals a shift in focus to a specific topic.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as a fancy pointer. It signals to your listener that you are narrowing your focus. It is the equivalent of 'as far as concepts are concerned' or 'regarding the concepts.' It helps you bridge two ideas while sounding very organized.
How To Use It
You usually place this at the very beginning of a sentence. It sets the stage for what follows. Because conceito is a masculine word, you should technically use a or aos after tocante. If you use à, you are likely referring to a feminine word, so be careful with your grammar here! Simply follow the phrase with the noun you want to highlight.
When To Use It
This is a staple of the professional world. Use it in business meetings when you want to address a specific point in a proposal. It is perfect for academic writing or formal emails to a professor. If you want to sound authoritative and clear, this is your go-to expression.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase at a casual Sunday BBQ. If you tell a friend, No tocante à cerveja, está gelada, they might think you have been reading too many law books. It is too stiff for intimate conversations or texting your best friend about weekend plans. Keep it out of the kitchen and in the office.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture has a deep-rooted respect for formal structure and legalistic language. This phrase comes from that 'bureaucratic' tradition. It is very common in Brazilian and Portuguese corporate environments where sounding 'proper' is a sign of education and status. It is the kind of language you hear on the evening news or in a courtroom.
Common Variations
If this feels too heavy, you can use Quanto a for a more neutral tone. If you want to sound even more sophisticated, try No que tange a. For everyday situations, Sobre (About) is usually enough to get the job done without the extra fluff.
Usage Notes
This is a high-register expression. Use it when you want to appear professional, organized, or authoritative. Be careful with the 'crase' (à); only use it if the following noun is feminine and requires a definite article.
The 'Sobre' Test
If you can replace the phrase with 'sobre' and the sentence still makes sense, you are using it correctly. Use 'no tocante a' to sound 10x more professional.
Crase Alert
Never use 'à' before masculine words. This is the #1 mistake even native speakers make with this phrase.
Don't Overdo It
Using this phrase more than twice in a single email can make you sound like you're trying too hard. Balance it with 'além disso' or 'quanto a'.
Examples
6No tocante aos conceitos do novo projeto, acredito que estamos no caminho certo.
Regarding the concepts of the new project, I believe we are on the right track.
Here it sounds professional and helps focus the team on the project's core ideas.
No tocante a conceitos sociológicos, a tese apresenta uma visão inovadora.
Regarding sociological concepts, the thesis presents an innovative view.
Used to introduce a specific academic category.
No tocante aos conceitos de design, enviaremos as amostras amanhã.
Regarding the design concepts, we will send the samples tomorrow.
Provides a clear transition in a professional correspondence.
No tocante ao conceito de 'chegar cedo', você falhou miseravelmente hoje!
Regarding the concept of 'arriving early', you failed miserably today!
The formal phrase creates a humorous contrast with the casual situation.
No tocante aos nossos conceitos de lealdade, sinto que mudamos muito.
Regarding our concepts of loyalty, I feel we have changed a lot.
Adds a layer of serious, intellectual distance to an emotional topic.
No tocante a conceitos de segurança, não podemos abrir exceções.
Regarding safety concepts, we cannot make exceptions.
Firm and authoritative.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form (a, ao, à, aos, às).
No tocante ____ novas regras, todos devem segui-las.
'Regras' is feminine plural, so 'a' + 'as' = 'às'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct option:
No crase before masculine plural words unless using the article 'aos'. 'A' alone is correct as a general preposition.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate context.
Where would you most likely hear 'No tocante à política externa...'?
The phrase is highly formal and suited for political or journalistic discourse.
Complete the formal dialogue.
Diretor: 'Precisamos discutir o orçamento.' Gerente: 'Com certeza. No tocante ____, já preparei os gráficos.'
'A isso' is a formal way to refer back to the previously mentioned topic (orçamento).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNo tocante ____ novas regras, todos devem segui-las.
'Regras' is feminine plural, so 'a' + 'as' = 'às'.
Select the correct option:
No crase before masculine plural words unless using the article 'aos'. 'A' alone is correct as a general preposition.
Where would you most likely hear 'No tocante à política externa...'?
The phrase is highly formal and suited for political or journalistic discourse.
Diretor: 'Precisamos discutir o orçamento.' Gerente: 'Com certeza. No tocante ____, já preparei os gráficos.'
'A isso' is a formal way to refer back to the previously mentioned topic (orçamento).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, though it is slightly more common in formal Brazilian 'juridiquês'.
Absolutely. It is most commonly used at the start of a sentence to introduce a new topic.
Because it refers to an implicit masculine noun like 'ponto' (point) or 'aspecto' (aspect). The phrase is fixed as 'no tocante'.
Yes, it's a great way to show you have a sophisticated vocabulary, especially when discussing technical skills or experience.
There is no functional difference; they are perfect synonyms. 'Tange' is slightly more common in academic writing.
Related Phrases
No que tange a
synonymRegarding / In what concerns
Quanto a
similarAs for / About
Acerca de
similarAbout / Concerning
Em relação a
similarIn relation to
