No tocante à literatura

Using this phrase requires a little bit of grammar.

The word tocante is followed by the preposition a.

Since literatura is a feminine word, we use a.

When you combine a plus a, you get à.

This is called the 'crase' in Portuguese.

Always remember that little backwards accent mark.

You usually place this phrase at the start.

It sets the stage for your next sentence.

'No tocante à literatura, o Brasil tem grandes gênios.'

See? It feels smooth and deliberate.

You can also use it in the middle.

It works as a transition between two different ideas.

Imagine you are writing a blog post about art.

You finish talking about paintings and want books.

Boom. Drop no tocante à literatura right there.

It is like a professional gear shift in a car.

This phrase is definitely on the formal side.

You will see it in newspapers like 'Folha' or 'Globo'.

Academic essays love this kind of structure.

Lawyers and politicians use it to sound important.

Is it too formal for a WhatsApp group?

Probably, unless you are being ironic or funny.

If you use it with friends, they might stare.

They might ask if you swallowed a dictionary.

However, in a job interview, it is gold.

It shows you have a high-level command of Portuguese.

Use it when you want to be taken seriously.

It belongs in the 'professional and academic' bucket.

It is like wearing a nice blazer to a meeting.

You don't need it for every occasion.

But when you wear it, people definitely notice.

Imagine you are recording a podcast about culture.

You might say, 'No tocante à literatura, o Kindle mudou tudo.'

Or think about a LinkedIn post about education.

'No tocante à literatura clássica, precisamos de novos métodos.'

Maybe you are writing a formal email to a professor.

'Tenho dúvidas no tocante à literatura sugerida no programa.'

Even in a YouTube video about historical trends.

'No tocante à literatura do século XIX, houve muitas mudanças.'

You will find it in book reviews on Amazon.

'No tocante à literatura policial, este autor é o melhor.'

It appears in government reports about literacy rates.

It shows up in speeches at book fairs.

Anywhere people treat books with some level of gravity.

It is the 'suit and tie' of introductory phrases.

Use it when writing a formal cover letter.

Use it during a university presentation or seminar.

It is great for writing critiques or reviews.

Use it when you are at a formal dinner.

If someone asks about your favorite hobbies, use it.

'No tocante à literatura, prefiro os autores russos.'

It works well in a professional Zoom meeting.

Use it to distinguish between different project areas.

'No tocante à literatura técnica, o manual está pronto.'

It is perfect for serious debates about social issues.

Basically, use it when the atmosphere is 'smart'.

It is a great way to show respect to the topic.

It signals that you have thought about this deeply.

Do not use this at a loud football stadium.

Do not use it while ordering a greasy burger.

'No tocante à literatura do cardápio...'

No. The waiter will think you are weird.

Avoid it in very casual texts with your bestie.

Unless you are joking about being a nerd.

Don't use it if you are angry and yelling.

It is too elegant for a heated street argument.

It is not a 'street' phrase at all.

If you are at a nightclub, keep it simple.

Using it in a Tinder bio might be risky.

It could make you look a bit too stiff.

Unless you want to find another book lover!

Just keep the context in mind before speaking.

One big mistake is forgetting the crase.

Without the accent, the grammar police will find you.

Another mistake is using the wrong gender.

Some people try to use 'o' with 'literatura'.

That sounds very strange to a native speaker.

Another error is overusing it in one paragraph.

If you say it three times, you'll sound robotic.

Mix it up with other phrases like 'quanto a'.

Don't use it for things that aren't topics.

It is better for subjects than for specific people.

Keep it for broader categories of knowledge or art.

If you want a slight change, try no que tange a.

No que tange à literatura is even more formal.

It sounds very legal or highly academic.

You can also use no que diz respeito a.

No que diz respeito à literatura is quite common too.

For something a bit lighter, try em relação a.

Quanto à literatura is a shorter, punchier version.

Relativamente à literatura is very common in Portugal.

In Brazil, we might say sobre a literatura.

But sobre is much more casual and direct.

No tocante a is the sweet spot for elegance.

Think of these as different flavors of the same spice.

Choose the one that fits your current 'outfit'.

Is this phrase common in Brazil?

Yes, especially in formal writing and news media.

Can I use it for other subjects?

Absolutely, just change 'literatura' to another feminine noun.

Example: No tocante à economia or No tocante à política.

Does it always need the crase?

Yes, if the following noun is feminine and singular.

If it's masculine, use ao, like no tocante ao esporte.

Is it okay for a B2 learner to use this?

It is actually expected at the B2 level!

It shows you are moving beyond basic Portuguese.

Will I sound like an old person?

Maybe a little bit, but in a 'wise' way.

It is a classic phrase that never truly goes out of style.