Portuguese Phrase
Quero começar dizendo...
Meaning
Literally ‘I want to start by saying…’, this phrase is a polite way to introduce a statement, opinion, or announcement. It signals that the speaker is about to present something important or personal.
When to use
Use it at the beginning of speeches, presentations, letters, or informal conversations when you want to frame what follows as a deliberate opening. It works both in formal (e.g., a conference) and informal (e.g., a toast) contexts.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Querocomeçardizendo...
Quero (verbo querer)
First‑person singular present of querer, meaning ‘I want’. It is a regular -er verb.
começar (infinitivo)
The infinitive form of the verb ‘to start’. After querer, the infinitive is used without a preposition.
dizendo (gerúndio)
Gerund of dizer, used here to indicate the action that will follow the start – ‘saying…’.
Ellipsis (…)
The three dots signal that the speaker will continue with the specific content they want to say.
🗨In Conversation
Quero começar dizendo que todos aqui fizeram um trabalho incrível.
I want to start by saying that everyone here did an amazing job.
É verdade, o resultado superou as expectativas!
That's true, the result exceeded expectations!
✕Common Mistakes
Quero começar dizer que...
After ‘começar’, the verb must stay in gerund form (dizendo) or be preceded by ‘a’ (começar a dizer).
Quero começar a dizer que...
While grammatically correct, ‘a dizer’ sounds more formal; learners often mix the two forms. Choose one style and keep it consistent.
Quero começar dizerem que...
‘Dizerem’ is the third‑person plural infinitive; it does not match the singular subject ‘eu’.
↔Alternatives
Gostaria de iniciar dizendo...
I would like to begin by saying...
Permitam-me começar dizendo...
Allow me to start by saying...
Antes de tudo, quero dizer...
First of all, I want to say...
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, opening a speech with ‘Quero começar dizendo…’ is a sign of humility and respect. It prepares the audience for a thoughtful point and is common in both corporate and social settings. Avoid using it in very casual chats unless you really want to emphasize the importance of what follows.