Respecto

Respecto is a masculine noun in Spanish that denotes reference, regard, or consideration in relation to something. It is used to indicate the topic, aspect, or relation being discussed, rather than to a feeling of esteem. The most common constructions are con respecto a and en lo que respecta a, which introduce the matter under discussion.

Etymology: Respecto comes from Latin respectus, from respicere meaning “to look back” or “to regard.” The sense has evolved in Spanish to refer to reference or relation rather than a direct act of looking.

Usage notes: In formal and written Spanish, both en lo que respecta a and a este respecto are standard ways to refer to a topic, while con respecto a is very common in many varieties of Spanish, especially in Latin America. Respecto is often paired with prepositions to shift the focus to a specific issue, and it is commonly contrasted with respeto, the noun that expresses esteem or admiration.

Examples:

- Con respecto a tu pregunta, la respuesta es afirmativa.

- En lo que respecta a la política educativa, se priorizan las inversiones.

- A este respecto, conviene señalar algunos datos históricos.

See also: respeto, en lo que respecta a, con respecto a, a este respecto, relación, asunto.