Quanto a: Introduce a New Topic in Portuguese

Read quanto a as a topic frame

In Quanto ao jantar, podemos cozinhar em casa, the speaker introduces dinner as the subject of the following proposal. They are not asking how much dinner costs. Treat quanto a as a unit, then look for the information supplied after the topic.

The Michaelis entry for quanto lists this expression in the sense of regarding or with respect to. In practice, it can help you move from one part of an answer to another without making the reader work out which detail you are addressing. It is especially useful when a message contains several open questions.

Distinguish a topic from a quantity question

Compare Quanto custa a passagem? with Quanto à passagem, ainda não comprei. The first asks a price. The second introduces the ticket as a topic and says it has not yet been bought. The accent in writing and the surrounding structure help identify the different jobs.

In conversation, listen to the full clause rather than trying to identify the message from quanto alone. A phrase such as quanto ao horário prepares a statement about the schedule; it does not normally request a number by itself.

Use ao and à when the following noun takes an article

The expression ends in the preposition a. Before a masculine noun with o, a plus o becomes ao: quanto ao horário. Before a feminine noun with a, the written combination is à: quanto à reserva. The plural forms are aos and às when the corresponding articles are present.

Personal pronouns give you a different pattern. Quanto a mim uses a, without the grave accent, because mim does not supply the feminine article a. Learn the construction together with a few nouns you actually use; that is more reliable than adding an accent whenever the sound seems long.

Organize an original two-part reply

In this fictional planning exchange, the reply handles the day and transport separately. Each frame signals which question is being answered. You could also use simpler short sentences; the expression is a useful option, not a requirement for every message.

Choose it when the shift needs to be clear

A short answer such as Sábado is enough when the topic is obvious. Quanto ao dia becomes helpful when you are responding to several points, returning to an earlier issue or separating your view of one part from another. You do not need to repeat the frame before every sentence about the same subject.

For practice, list three details of a fictional outing: day, food and transport. Answer each with one sentence beginning quanto a plus the appropriate noun phrase. Then read the message without those frames and decide where keeping one would make the organization clearer.

Practice before opening the answers

These are original written practice activities. Try a reply first, then compare the suggested answer and explanation. Other answers can work when they keep the intended meaning.

1. Does Quanto ao preço, preciso conferir ask somebody for a price?
   Suggested answer and explanation

   No. It introduces price as the topic and says the speaker needs to check it.

   Quanto ao works as a topic frame here. A question such as Quanto custa? directly asks an amount.

2. Complete with ao or à: Quanto ___ reserva, já está tudo certo.
   Suggested answer and explanation

   Quanto à reserva, já está tudo certo. — As for the booking, everything is arranged.

   A reserva is feminine with the article a, so the preposition a combines with it as à.

3. Choose a or à: Quanto ___ mim, podemos sair cedo.
   Suggested answer and explanation

   Quanto a mim, podemos sair cedo. — As for me, we can leave early.

   The pronoun mim does not take the feminine article a in this pattern, so there is no à.

4. Reply to two separate questions about the day and the meal using topic frames.
   Suggested answer and explanation

   Quanto ao dia, prefiro domingo. Quanto à comida, podemos pedir uma pizza. — As for the day, I prefer Sunday. As for food, we can order a pizza.

   Each frame identifies the part being answered. The details are original fictional practice, not a real arrangement.

Make your next reply easier to follow

Choose two open points in a conversation and give a clear answer to each. For more practical expressions and Brazilian audio to connect with everyday plans, explore Real Life Portuguese.

Sources and further listening

• Michaelis Brazilian Portuguese dictionary: quanto and quanto a