Spanish word

perjudicar

Pronunciation

IPA/peɾxuðiˈkaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbharm

Example

Fumar puede perjudicar tu salud.

Smoking can harm your health.

Illustration for perjudicar (harm)

More examples

Las críticas injustas pueden perjudicar a alguien.

Unfair criticism can harm someone.

Core concept

Act that leaves a person or thing worse off or less able to succeed.

Common phrases

  • perjudicar la salud

    harm one's health

  • perjudicar a alguien

    harm someone

Similar words

dañar: Damage a thing's physical condition or its ability to function.
afectar: Change a person's or thing's condition in a way that makes it worse.
lastimar: Inflict physical pain or emotional hurt on a person.
deteriorar: Make a thing or situation grow worse gradually over time.

Definition in Spanish

Hacer que alguien o algo salga perjudicado, ocasionando pérdida, daño o menoscabo en su bienestar o posición.

Word origin

From Latin praejudicare (prae- 'before' + iudicare 'judge'), Spanish perjudicar means to inflict loss, damage, or a disadvantage on someone or something.

Usage tips

  • Perjudicar has a more formal tone than dañar and is common in news, reports, and formal speech when referring to broad or institutional harms.

Other meanings

  • impairverb
  • adversely affectverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word