C1 Expression Muy formal 3 min de lectura

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo a

It is necessary to mention o aspecto relativo a

Literalmente: It falls to us to clarify the aspect relative to

Use this to professionally take responsibility for explaining a specific point in formal documents or meetings.

En 15 segundos

  • A formal way to say 'we must clarify'.
  • Used in professional, legal, or academic contexts.
  • Implies a sense of duty or responsibility.

Significado

This phrase is a sophisticated way of saying 'It's our responsibility to clarify the point regarding...' It signals that you are about to provide necessary details on a specific topic.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

In a formal business meeting

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo ao financiamento do projeto.

It is necessary for us to clarify the aspect regarding the project's financing.

💼
2

In a legal document or contract

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo à rescisão contratual.

It is our duty to clarify the aspect relative to the contract termination.

👔
3

A sarcastic comment to a roommate

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo à louça que ainda está na pia.

It is our duty to clarify the aspect regarding the dishes still in the sink.

😄
🌍

Contexto cultural

This phrase stems from the 'Luso-Brazilian' tradition of formal rhetoric, where administrative and legal language heavily influences professional speech. It reflects a culture that values clearly defined roles and responsibilities in official communications. While modern offices are becoming more casual, this expression remains a staple in 'Direito' (Law) and 'Administração Pública' (Public Administration).

💡

The 'A' Rule

Always remember that 'relativo' requires the preposition 'a'. If the next word is 'o', it becomes 'ao'. If it's 'a', it becomes 'à' (crase).

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

Using this more than once in a single email makes you sound like a 19th-century lawyer. Use it once for the most important point.

En 15 segundos

  • A formal way to say 'we must clarify'.
  • Used in professional, legal, or academic contexts.
  • Implies a sense of duty or responsibility.

What It Means

Think of this phrase as the 'heavy artillery' of formal Portuguese. When you use Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo a, you aren't just sharing information. You are stating that it is your duty or responsibility to make something clear. The verb compete here doesn't mean 'to compete' in a race. It means 'to fall upon' or 'to be the duty of.' It sounds authoritative, professional, and very precise. It’s the kind of phrase that makes people sit up a little straighter in their chairs.

How To Use It

You’ll mostly see this in writing or very formal speeches. It acts as a formal bridge between a general topic and a specific detail you need to address. You can swap the nos (us) for me (me) if you are speaking for yourself. For example, Compete-me esclarecer... means 'It is my duty to clarify...' It is almost always followed by a noun phrase, like o orçamento (the budget) or a nova lei (the new law). Just remember to match the preposition a with the following word’s gender—so it might become ao or à.

When To Use It

This is your go-to for professional emails, legal documents, or academic papers. Use it when there is a misunderstanding that needs fixing. It’s perfect for a meeting when you need to pivot the conversation to a technical detail. If you are a manager explaining a new policy, this phrase gives you instant gravitas. It says, 'I am the expert here, and I am taking responsibility for this explanation.'

When NOT To Use It

Please, don't use this at a churrasco (barbecue). If you tell your friend, Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo a quem trouxe a cerveja, they will think you’ve swallowed a dictionary. It is way too stiff for casual settings. Avoid it in texts to your partner or when asking for directions. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to the beach—technically possible, but everyone will look at you weirdly. Keep it for the boardroom, not the bar.

Cultural Background

Portuguese culture has a long tradition of 'formalismo.' In official settings, using complex, Latin-derived structures is a sign of education and respect. This specific phrase reflects the bureaucratic heritage of Portugal and Brazil. It shows a desire for clarity and hierarchy. By saying 'it competes to us,' you are acknowledging your role within a system. It’s a linguistic nod to the importance of protocol.

Common Variations

You might hear Cabe-nos esclarecer which is a very close synonym. Cumpre-nos salientar is another cousin, meaning 'it is our duty to highlight.' If you want to be slightly less heavy, you could say Gostaríamos de esclarecer (We would like to clarify). But if you want the full weight of authority, stick with Compete-nos. It’s the gold standard for 'official' clarification.

Notas de uso

This expression is strictly for formal registers. Using it in the wrong context (like a casual chat) can make you sound arrogant or socially awkward. Pay close attention to the contraction of the preposition 'a' with the following article.

💡

The 'A' Rule

Always remember that 'relativo' requires the preposition 'a'. If the next word is 'o', it becomes 'ao'. If it's 'a', it becomes 'à' (crase).

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

Using this more than once in a single email makes you sound like a 19th-century lawyer. Use it once for the most important point.

💬

The Power of 'Compete'

In Portugal, 'Compete-nos' sounds slightly more 'European' and traditional, whereas in Brazil, 'Cabe-nos' is often preferred in corporate settings.

Ejemplos

6
#1 In a formal business meeting
💼

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo ao financiamento do projeto.

It is necessary for us to clarify the aspect regarding the project's financing.

Here, it establishes the speaker's authority over the financial details.

#2 In a legal document or contract
👔

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo à rescisão contratual.

It is our duty to clarify the aspect relative to the contract termination.

Standard legal phrasing to ensure no ambiguity exists.

#3 A sarcastic comment to a roommate
😄

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo à louça que ainda está na pia.

It is our duty to clarify the aspect regarding the dishes still in the sink.

Using high-level language for a mundane task creates a humorous, mock-serious tone.

#4 An official email from a university
👔

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo às novas regras de matrícula.

It is necessary to clarify the aspect regarding the new enrollment rules.

Used to introduce important administrative changes.

#5 Explaining a misunderstanding in a relationship
💭

Compete-me esclarecer o aspecto relativo ao que eu disse ontem.

It falls to me to clarify the aspect relative to what I said yesterday.

Using 'me' instead of 'nos' to take personal responsibility.

#6 Texting a client about a delay
💼

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo ao atraso na entrega.

We need to clarify the point regarding the delivery delay.

Maintains a professional distance while addressing a problem.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct preposition to complete the formal phrase.

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo ___ novas diretrizes.

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

The phrase uses 'relativo a'. Since 'novas diretrizes' is feminine plural, 'a' + 'as' becomes 'às'.

Which verb best replaces 'Compete' in this formal context?

___-nos esclarecer o ponto em questão.

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

'Cabe-nos' is a common formal synonym for 'Compete-nos' in Portuguese.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality Spectrum of 'Clarifying'

Informal

Talking to friends

Deixa eu explicar...

Neutral

Standard office talk

Queria esclarecer que...

Formal

Official emails

Gostaríamos de esclarecer...

Very Formal

Legal/High-level business

Compete-nos esclarecer o aspecto relativo a...

Where to use 'Compete-nos esclarecer...'

Compete-nos esclarecer
📊

Annual Report

Clarifying financial losses

⚖️

Courtroom

Clarifying a witness statement

🎓

Academic Thesis

Defining a research variable

🌐

Diplomatic Note

Explaining a policy change

Preguntas frecuentes

12 preguntas

In this context, compete means 'to be incumbent upon' or 'to be the responsibility of'. It has nothing to do with competition or sports.

No, it would sound very strange. Use Queria explicar or Só para esclarecer for casual emails.

Both are grammatically correct, but Compete-nos is much more common in high-level formal writing.

No, you can use other verbs like salientar (to highlight) or informar (to inform), but esclarecer is the most common for resolving doubts.

The closest equivalents are 'It is our duty to clarify' or 'We must address the aspect regarding...'

Yes, if you are explaining a complex past project or a specific technical skill, it can make you sound very professional.

Yes, it is used in both countries, though it's a staple of the 'norma culta' (standard formal language) everywhere.

Aspecto helps narrow down the focus to one specific part of a larger, more complex topic.

Absolutely. Compete-me is the singular version and is perfect for when you are taking personal responsibility for an explanation.

It's part of this specific fixed expression. You could say sobre (about), but relativo a sounds much more formal.

Forgetting the 'crase' (the accent on à). If you say relativo a a empresa, it must be written as relativo à empresa.

It's not aggressive, but it is very firm. It signals that the topic is serious and requires a formal explanation.

Frases relacionadas

Cabe-nos salientar

It is our duty to point out

No que concerne a

Regarding / In what concerns

No que diz respeito a

With respect to

Cumpre-nos informar

It is our duty to inform

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