B2 Expression Muy formal 3 min de lectura

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente a

It is necessary to mention a questão pertinente a

Literalmente: It competes to us to clarify the question pertinent to

Use this phrase to sound authoritative and professional when addressing a specific issue in formal writing.

En 15 segundos

  • A formal way to say 'It's our duty to explain'.
  • Used in professional, legal, or administrative contexts.
  • Combines responsibility with a specific topic of interest.

Significado

This phrase is a very formal way of saying 'It is our responsibility to clarify the matter regarding...' It is used when you want to sound authoritative and professional.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

A company replying to a customer complaint

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente ao atraso na entrega.

It is our duty to clarify the issue regarding the delivery delay.

💼
2

A formal email from a landlord to a tenant

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente ao aumento do aluguel.

It is our responsibility to clarify the matter regarding the rent increase.

👔
3

A sarcastic text between friends about a mess

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente a quem deixou a louça suja.

It is our duty to clarify the matter of who left the dirty dishes.

😄
🌍

Contexto cultural

This expression reflects the high value placed on formal rhetoric in Portuguese-speaking countries. It originates from legal and administrative language where precision and duty are paramount. It is especially common in 'Juridiquês' (legal jargon) in Brazil.

💡

The 'Power Move' Phrase

Use this when you want to stop an argument and show you have the final word on a topic. It sounds very authoritative.

⚠️

Watch the Preposition

Remember that `pertinente` always takes `a`. If the next word is feminine, use `à`. If it's masculine plural, use `aos`.

En 15 segundos

  • A formal way to say 'It's our duty to explain'.
  • Used in professional, legal, or administrative contexts.
  • Combines responsibility with a specific topic of interest.

What It Means

This phrase is a powerhouse of formality. It basically tells your listener that you are taking charge. You are saying that it is your specific duty or role to explain something. The word compete here doesn't mean a race. It means 'to be the responsibility of.' When you add esclarecer, you are promising a clear explanation. The final part, a questão pertinente a, is just a fancy way of saying 'the topic of.' It sounds like you are wearing a three-piece suit while speaking. You are signaling that you have the authority to speak on this specific subject.

How To Use It

You will usually find this at the start of a sentence or paragraph. It sets a serious tone immediately. You start with Compete-nos, which includes the 'us' (nos). If you are speaking for yourself, you would say Compete-me. Then, you follow it with the action esclarecer. Finally, you drop the topic after pertinente a. It flows like a river of professional jargon. It is very common in written Portuguese, especially in emails or official reports. It helps you sound organized and reliable.

When To Use It

Use it in a formal letter to a client or a landlord. It works wonders in a corporate memo during a crisis. If you are writing a legal document or an academic paper, this is your best friend. It shows you are taking the situation seriously. Use it when you need to clear up a misunderstanding in a professional setting. It is perfect for customer service representatives who need to address a complaint formally. It makes the response feel official and well-considered.

When NOT To Use It

Please, don't use this while ordering a pizza. The waiter will think you are joking or very strange. Avoid it when chatting with your siblings or friends at a bar. It makes you sound like a government spokesperson rather than a person. If you use this in a casual text, your friends might ask if you have been hacked by a lawyer. It is far too stiff for 90% of daily life. Keep it in your professional toolkit only.

Cultural Background

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, formal language is a sign of deep respect and education. Using complex structures shows that you understand the social hierarchy. It is a remnant of a very bureaucratic and administrative tradition. Even today, Portuguese bureaucracy thrives on these specific, heavy phrases. In Brazil and Portugal, being able to write 'properly' (using phrases like this) is a status symbol. It shows you are part of the professional elite. It’s about more than just information; it’s about the 'vibe' of authority.

Common Variations

You might hear Cabe-nos esclarecer quite often. It means exactly the same thing but feels slightly more common in modern offices. Another version is Cumpre-nos informar, which is even more rigid. If you want to be slightly less stiff, you could try Gostaríamos de esclarecer. But for maximum impact and authority, stick to the original phrase. It’s the 'gold standard' for official clarifications.

Notas de uso

This is a high-register expression. Use it in written correspondence or formal speeches. Avoid in spoken, everyday conversation unless you are being intentionally dramatic or ironic.

💡

The 'Power Move' Phrase

Use this when you want to stop an argument and show you have the final word on a topic. It sounds very authoritative.

⚠️

Watch the Preposition

Remember that `pertinente` always takes `a`. If the next word is feminine, use `à`. If it's masculine plural, use `aos`.

💬

The Bureaucracy Secret

Portuguese speakers often use long phrases to avoid saying 'I' or 'You' directly, which can feel too aggressive in formal settings.

Ejemplos

6
#1 A company replying to a customer complaint
💼

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente ao atraso na entrega.

It is our duty to clarify the issue regarding the delivery delay.

This sounds much more professional than just saying 'Sorry we are late.'

#2 A formal email from a landlord to a tenant
👔

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente ao aumento do aluguel.

It is our responsibility to clarify the matter regarding the rent increase.

Using this phrase makes the increase feel like a formal, non-negotiable process.

#3 A sarcastic text between friends about a mess
😄

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente a quem deixou a louça suja.

It is our duty to clarify the matter of who left the dirty dishes.

The extreme formality creates a humorous, mock-serious effect.

#4 A serious conversation about a relationship
💭

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente à nossa falta de comunicação.

It is necessary for us to clarify the issue regarding our lack of communication.

The phrase adds a layer of gravity and importance to the discussion.

#5 An official government announcement
💼

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente às novas regras de trânsito.

It is our role to clarify the matter pertaining to the new traffic rules.

This is a classic use case for public administration.

#6 A university department explaining a grade change
👔

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente à revisão da sua nota.

It is our responsibility to clarify the issue regarding your grade review.

Standard academic/administrative tone.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct verb to complete the formal phrase.

___-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente ao contrato.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Compete

`Compete-nos` is the fixed formal structure for 'it is our duty/responsibility'.

Complete the phrase with the correct prepositional structure.

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente ___ novos impostos.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: aos

The phrase is `pertinente a`. Since `impostos` is masculine plural, `a + os` becomes `aos`.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality Levels of Clarification

Casual

Talking to a friend

Vou te explicar sobre...

Neutral

Standard business talk

Gostaria de explicar sobre...

Formal

Official memo

Cabe-nos esclarecer...

Very Formal

Legal or High Admin

Compete-nos esclarecer a questão pertinente a...

Where to use 'Compete-nos...'

Compete-nos esclarecer...
⚖️

Courtroom / Legal

Clarifying a clause

🏢

Corporate HR

Explaining policy changes

🎧

Customer Support

Handling a major error

🎓

Academic Board

Reviewing a thesis issue

Preguntas frecuentes

12 preguntas

It means 'it is our responsibility' or 'it falls to us.' It comes from the verb competir in its sense of duty, not competition.

Yes, if you are explaining your previous job responsibilities. For example: Compete-me esclarecer que eu gerenciava a equipe.

Essentially, yes. But sobre is 'about,' while pertinente a is 'pertaining to.' The latter is much more formal.

Change the pronoun to me. Use Compete-me esclarecer... instead of Compete-nos.

Both! It is standard formal Portuguese used in any Lusophone country for official business.

Only if you want to sound ironic or very stiff. It's better to use Queria explicar... for casual emails.

Forgetting the preposition a. Don't say pertinente o assunto; it must be pertinente ao assunto.

You could say Cabe-nos esclarecer..., which is slightly shorter but still very formal.

Yes, in this context it means to provide light or clarity on a confusing or important topic.

Questão sounds more neutral and professional. Problema can sound too negative in a formal document.

Absolutely. It is a very strong way to introduce the main topic of a formal presentation.

Only if you are texting a boss or a client about a very serious matter. Otherwise, avoid it.

Frases relacionadas

No que tange a

Regarding / With respect to

Relativamente a

Relating to

No que diz respeito a

As far as ... is concerned

Cumpre-nos informar

It is our duty to inform

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