No que tange à avaliação
Regarding the avaliação
Literally: In that which touches to the evaluation
Use it to sound professional and precise when transitioning to a specific topic in formal settings.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to say 'regarding' or 'about' a topic.
- Commonly used in offices, universities, and legal documents.
- Requires the preposition 'a' (watch out for the crase!).
Meaning
Think of this as a sophisticated way to say 'as far as [topic] is concerned' or 'regarding.' It’s a formal transition used to zoom in on a specific subject during a serious conversation or in writing.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a corporate meeting
No que tange à avaliação de desempenho, todos foram aprovados.
Regarding the performance evaluation, everyone passed.
Writing a formal email
No que tange ao contrato, enviaremos a cópia amanhã.
Regarding the contract, we will send the copy tomorrow.
Academic context
No que tange à metodologia, utilizamos uma abordagem qualitativa.
Regarding the methodology, we used a qualitative approach.
Cultural Background
This expression stems from the Latin 'tangere,' reflecting the Romance languages' tradition of using physical metaphors (touching) for intellectual concepts (concerning). In Brazil, it is often associated with 'juridiquês' (legal jargon), a style of speaking that lawyers and officials use to sound authoritative.
Master the Crase
Always check the gender of the next word. If it's feminine, use 'à'. If masculine, use 'ao'. It's the #1 mistake people make!
Don't Overuse It
If you use this phrase in every sentence, you'll sound like a parody of a lawyer. Use it once or twice to anchor your main points.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to say 'regarding' or 'about' a topic.
- Commonly used in offices, universities, and legal documents.
- Requires the preposition 'a' (watch out for the crase!).
What It Means
Imagine you are in a meeting and the conversation is drifting. You want to bring the focus back to a specific point. You use No que tange à avaliação. It’s like saying 'Regarding the evaluation' but with a lot more professional weight. It comes from the verb tanger, which literally means 'to touch' or 'to concern.' When you use this, you are telling your listener exactly which 'slice' of the topic you are about to address. It is precise, clear, and very 'grown-up' Portuguese.
How To Use It
This phrase acts as a verbal bridge. You usually place it at the beginning of a sentence to set the stage. The most important thing to remember is the grammar. Because it uses the preposition a, you have to merge it with the article of the next word. If the word is feminine like avaliação, it becomes à. If it's masculine like projeto, it becomes ao. It’s a favorite for people who want to sound structured and intellectual. Think of it as the linguistic equivalent of putting on a blazer before you speak.
When To Use It
Reach for this phrase when the stakes are high. It’s perfect for a job interview when discussing your skills. It’s great for a university essay or a formal email to a professor. If you are giving a presentation at work, this phrase will make you sound like an expert. It’s also very common in legal documents or news reports. It signals to your audience that you are moving from generalities to specifics.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this at a bar with friends. If you say No que tange à cerveja (Regarding the beer), your friends might think you’ve spent too much time reading law books. It’s far too stiff for casual hangouts or romantic dates. Avoid it in quick text messages unless you are being intentionally ironic or funny. If you just want to say 'about,' use the word sobre instead. It’s much shorter and won't make you sound like a robot at a party.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers, both in Brazil and Portugal, have a deep respect for formal education and 'refined' speech. Using sophisticated verbs like tanger is a way to signal social status and professional competence. It’s a remnant of a more formal era of the language that has survived in the corporate and academic worlds. While English has moved toward 'plain language,' Portuguese still loves these elegant, slightly complex structures in official settings.
Common Variations
You will often hear No que se refere a (In that which refers to) or No que diz respeito a (In that which says respect to). Both are very similar in formality. If you want something slightly less heavy but still professional, you can use Quanto a (As for). If you see No que tange aos or No que tange às, don't panic—that’s just the plural version of the same thing!
Usage Notes
This is a high-register expression. Use it when you want to appear professional, objective, and well-spoken. Be careful with the 'crase' (à) to maintain grammatical correctness.
Master the Crase
Always check the gender of the next word. If it's feminine, use 'à'. If masculine, use 'ao'. It's the #1 mistake people make!
Don't Overuse It
If you use this phrase in every sentence, you'll sound like a parody of a lawyer. Use it once or twice to anchor your main points.
The 'Smart' Factor
In Brazil, using this phrase during a debate is a subtle way to signal that you are highly educated. It's a 'power move' in conversation.
Examples
6No que tange à avaliação de desempenho, todos foram aprovados.
Regarding the performance evaluation, everyone passed.
Used here to introduce a specific agenda item clearly.
No que tange ao contrato, enviaremos a cópia amanhã.
Regarding the contract, we will send the copy tomorrow.
The masculine 'ao' is used because 'contrato' is a masculine noun.
No que tange à metodologia, utilizamos uma abordagem qualitativa.
Regarding the methodology, we used a qualitative approach.
Standard phrasing for research papers and theses.
No que tange à nossa janta, eu voto em pizza!
Regarding our dinner, I vote for pizza!
Using a very formal phrase for a trivial topic creates a funny effect.
No que tange ao nosso futuro, precisamos ser honestos.
Regarding our future, we need to be honest.
Sets a serious, heavy tone for a difficult conversation.
No que tange à economia, os especialistas estão preocupados.
Regarding the economy, the experts are worried.
Commonly heard in news broadcasts.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form to complete the formal sentence.
No que ___ ao novo projeto, os custos são altos.
The phrase is fixed in the third person singular 'tange' because it refers to 'that which' (o que).
Select the correct contraction for the feminine noun 'proposta'.
No que tange ___ proposta, estamos de acordo.
Since 'proposta' is feminine, you need the 'crase' (à), which is the combination of the preposition 'a' and the article 'a'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels for 'About'
Talking to friends
Sobre
General conversation
Em relação a
Business/Academic
No que tange a
Where to use 'No que tange a'
Job Interview
Talking about skills
University
Writing a thesis
Courtroom
Legal arguments
News Room
Reporting facts
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt comes from the verb tanger, which means 'to touch' or 'to concern'. In this phrase, it means 'as it relates to'.
No, it is quite formal. You'll hear it in offices or on the news, but rarely at a casual dinner.
Yes, you can say No que tange ao João... to mean 'Regarding João'. It sounds very official.
Sobre is simple and casual (like 'about'), while No que tange a is formal and precise (like 'concerning').
Because the phrase requires the preposition a, and if the next word is feminine, they merge into à (crase).
It is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries, always maintaining a high level of formality.
The verb tange usually stays singular, but the article changes: No que tange aos problemas.
Yes! It is an excellent connector for academic writing to show a change in focus.
A little bit, but in a way that suggests authority rather than being outdated.
A very common formal synonym is No que se refere a or Em relação a.
No, that is incorrect. It must always be followed by the preposition a.
It sounds like 'TAN-je', with a soft 'j' sound like in the word 'measure'.
Related Phrases
No que se refere a
Regarding / In reference to
No que diz respeito a
With respect to
Em relação a
In relation to
Quanto a
As for / Regarding
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