Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A2 verb 10 min de lecture

prejudicar

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces prejudicar en 30 secondes

Explication prejudicar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'prejudicar' means to harm or do something bad to someone's health or work. It is a regular verb ending in -ar. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Fumar prejudica a saúde' (Smoking harms health). It is important to recognize it on signs or in simple warnings. Even though it's a bit long, it's very common. Think of it as the opposite of 'ajudar' (to help). If you do something that doesn't help and actually makes things worse, you are 'prejudicando'. At this stage, focus on the present tense: 'Isso prejudica' (This harms). You might hear it from a teacher if you are making noise: 'Isso prejudica a aula' (This harms/disrupts the class). It's a useful word to express that something is not good for you or for others.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the A2 level, you can start using 'prejudicar' to describe cause and effect in more detail. You should be able to conjugate it in the past tense (pretérito perfeito), remembering the spelling change: 'eu prejudiquei'. You can use it to talk about your daily life, such as how a lack of time might 'prejudicar' your studies. You will also see this word in news headlines and advertisements. It is often used with 'pode' (can) to express potential negative outcomes: 'A chuva pode prejudicar o trânsito' (Rain can harm/hinder traffic). At this level, you should distinguish it from 'estragar' (to break/spoil an object). You 'prejudica' a situation or a person's interests, but you 'estraga' a toy or a piece of fruit. This distinction helps you sound more natural and precise in your descriptions of problems.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'prejudicar' in the subjunctive mood to express fears, doubts, or suggestions. For example: 'Espero que isso não prejudique nossa amizade' (I hope this doesn't harm our friendship). You can also use it in the passive voice: 'Muitas pessoas foram prejudicadas pela nova lei' (Many people were harmed by the new law). At this stage, you should understand the noun form 'prejuízo' and how it relates to the verb. You can use 'prejudicar' in professional contexts to discuss how certain decisions might affect a company's goals. You're also expected to know synonyms like 'comprometer' and when to choose one over the other. For instance, 'comprometer' is often used for risks, while 'prejudicar' is for the actual negative impact. This level requires a more nuanced understanding of abstract harm, such as harming a reputation or an image.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, you should use 'prejudicar' fluently in complex arguments and formal writing. You can discuss social and political issues, explaining how certain policies 'prejudicam' specific sectors of society. You should be aware of the verb's placement with object pronouns (e.g., 'prejudicá-lo', 'prejudicando-a'). You can use it to describe subtle negative influences, such as how a specific upbringing might 'prejudicar' a child's social development. You should also be able to use the adjective 'prejudicial' and the adverb 'prejudicialmente' correctly. At this level, you can compare 'prejudicar' with more specific verbs like 'lesar' (legal/financial harm) or 'detrair' (to detract). Your vocabulary should be rich enough to use 'prejudicar' as a bridge to discuss ethics, consequences, and responsibility in various professional and academic fields.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, 'prejudicar' is a tool for precise and sophisticated communication. You can use it to analyze intricate legal cases, scientific data, or literary themes. You should understand its historical roots and how it differs from its English cognate 'prejudice'. In a C1 context, you might use it to describe systemic harm: 'O racismo estrutural prejudica o acesso de minorias ao mercado de trabalho'. You should be able to employ it in various registers, from highly formal legal documents to nuanced literary critiques. You will also recognize it in idiomatic expressions or more obscure collocations. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's weight—knowing that 'prejudicar' implies a certain level of gravity and consequence. You can also use the reflexive form 'prejudicar-se' to discuss self-destructive behaviors in psychological or philosophical contexts.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'prejudicar' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can use it to articulate the finest shades of meaning in complex discourses. Whether you are writing a legal brief, a philosophical essay, or a high-level corporate strategy, you use 'prejudicar' with absolute precision. You understand its role in the evolution of the Portuguese language and can identify its use in classical literature versus modern media. You can use it to discuss the 'detrimento' of one's rights or the 'comprometimento' of a vital system with perfect stylistic flair. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a flexible instrument used to navigate the most complex social, legal, and ethical landscapes of the Lusophone world. You can also play with the word's connotations in creative writing, using it to evoke specific emotional responses regarding loss, sabotage, or systemic failure.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

prejudicar en 30 secondes

Prejudicar means to harm or damage, typically used for abstract things like health, career, or reputation rather than physical objects.
It is a regular -ar verb, but remember the spelling change 'prejudiquei' in the first-person past tense to keep the 'k' sound.
It is very common in news, medical warnings, and professional settings to describe negative impacts and consequences.
The noun form is 'prejuízo' (loss), and the adjective is 'prejudicial' (harmful). Do not confuse it with 'preconceito' (bias).

The Portuguese verb prejudicar is a fundamental term used to describe the act of causing harm, damage, or detriment to someone or something. At its core, it signifies a negative impact that hinders progress, health, or well-being. Unlike simple physical damage (which might be better described by estragar or danificar), prejudicar often carries a more abstract or systemic weight, referring to reputations, careers, health, or legal standing. It is a versatile verb that English speakers can compare to 'to harm', 'to jeopardize', 'to impair', or 'to be detrimental to'.

Health Context: In the realm of medicine and wellness, this word is used to warn about habits or substances that negatively affect the body. For instance, doctors often say that lack of sleep will prejudicar your cognitive functions. It implies a slow or direct erosion of health rather than a sudden injury.
Professional Environment: In workplace settings, the word is used to describe actions that might ruin a project or a person's career prospects. If a colleague misses a deadline, they might prejudicar the whole team's efforts. It suggests a ripple effect of negative consequences.

Não quero prejudicar o seu trabalho com as minhas perguntas constantes.

Culturally, Brazilians and Portuguese people use this word when discussing fairness. If a new law favors one group but hurts another, people will complain that the law is going to prejudicar the working class. It is deeply tied to the concept of prejuízo (loss or damage), which is the noun form. When you feel that someone is acting in a way that puts you at a disadvantage, prejudicar is the verb of choice to express that grievance.

A poluição pode prejudicar o ecossistema local de forma irreversível.

Abstract Harm: When talking about reputations, this verb is essential. A scandal can prejudicar a politician's image for years. Here, it isn't physical damage but a loss of social capital or trust.

Furthermore, the word is used in legal contexts to describe 'prejudice' in the sense of legal harm. If a witness lies, they might prejudicar the defense's case. It is a formal yet common word that spans from the dinner table (discussing how too much sugar harms kids) to the high court (discussing how a decision harms constitutional rights). Its frequency in daily speech makes it an essential A2-level verb for anyone looking to describe cause-and-effect relationships where the effect is negative.

O atraso no voo acabou por prejudicar todos os meus compromissos do dia.

Using prejudicar correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb. In most cases, it takes a direct object—the person or thing being harmed. You do not typically need a preposition between the verb and the object in modern Brazilian Portuguese, though in some formal European Portuguese contexts, you might see slight variations. For example, 'Isso prejudica a saúde' (This harms health) is a standard structure.

Direct Object Usage: The most common way to use it is [Subject] + [Prejudicar] + [Object]. Example: 'A chuva prejudicou a colheita' (The rain harmed the harvest). Here, the harvest is the direct recipient of the negative action.
Reflexive and Passive: While less common, you can use it reflexively: 'Ele se prejudicou ao mentir' (He harmed himself by lying). You can also use it in the passive voice: 'A empresa foi prejudicada pela crise' (The company was harmed by the crisis).

Você não deve deixar que o estresse prejudique o seu desempenho escolar.

When conjugating prejudicar, it follows the regular pattern of -ar verbs. In the present tense: eu prejudico, tu prejudicas, ele prejudica, nós prejudicamos, eles prejudicam. In the past: eu prejudiquei (note the 'qu' to keep the hard 'c' sound), você prejudicou. This spelling change in the first person singular of the preterite is a crucial detail for learners to remember to maintain the phonetic integrity of the word.

As novas regras podem prejudicar os pequenos comerciantes da região.

The verb is often paired with modal verbs like 'pode' (can), 'deve' (should), or 'vai' (will). For instance, 'Isso pode prejudicar' is a very common cautionary phrase. It is also frequently found in the subjunctive mood when expressing fear or doubt: 'Tenho medo que isso prejudique nossa amizade' (I'm afraid this might harm our friendship). Understanding these patterns allows you to express complex concerns about negative outcomes in various social and professional scenarios.

Se você não estudar, vai acabar por prejudicar o seu futuro profissional.

Common Pairs: Often used with nouns like saúde (health), imagem (image/reputation), andamento (progress), and interesses (interests). These pairings are so common they almost act as collocations.

Finally, remember that prejudicar is an active choice or a direct cause. If you want to say something is 'harmful' (adjective), you would use prejudicial. 'O fumo é prejudicial' (Smoking is harmful). This distinction between the verb and the adjective is vital for clear communication.

You will encounter prejudicar in a wide variety of daily situations in Brazil and Portugal. It is not a word confined to textbooks; it is part of the living language used by everyone from news anchors to parents. One of the most common places to hear it is on the nightly news (Jornal Nacional or Telejornal), specifically during economic or political segments. Reporters frequently discuss how inflation might prejudicar the purchasing power of families or how a strike might prejudicar public transport.

In the Media: News headlines often use the word for its impact. 'Seca prejudica produção de café' (Drought harms coffee production) is a classic headline. It conveys a serious, negative consequence that affects many people.
Educational Settings: Teachers use it to warn students about their behavior. 'Conversar durante a aula pode prejudicar o seu aprendizado' (Talking during class can harm your learning). It's a formal way of pointing out self-sabotage.

A greve dos caminhoneiros pode prejudicar o abastecimento dos supermercados.

In a more personal context, you'll hear it in relationships. If someone is feeling slighted, they might say, 'Você está tentando me prejudicar?' (Are you trying to harm/undermine me?). It's a powerful word in arguments because it implies an intentional or negligent act that causes real damage to one's interests. It's also very common in sports commentary. A referee's bad decision might be described as something that will prejudicar the team's chances of winning the championship.

Não tome decisões precipitadas para não prejudicar ninguém no futuro.

In the business world, prejudicar is used during performance reviews or strategy meetings. Managers might discuss how a specific market trend could prejudicar the company's quarterly results. It is also found in legal warnings on products. For example, 'O consumo excessivo de álcool pode prejudicar a saúde' is a mandatory warning in many Portuguese-speaking countries. This ubiquity makes it one of the first 'serious' verbs a learner should master to understand the nuances of cause and effect in Portuguese society.

Soap Operas (Novelas): In Brazilian 'novelas', villains are always plotting to prejudicar the protagonist. You'll hear phrases like 'Vou fazer de tudo para prejudicá-la!' (I will do everything to harm her!).

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing the verb prejudicar with the English word 'prejudice' in its noun form. While they share a Latin root, 'prejudice' as in 'bias' is preconceito in Portuguese. If you want to say 'He has a prejudice against us', you should say 'Ele tem preconceito contra nós', not 'Ele tem prejudicar'. Remember: prejudicar is an action (to harm), while preconceito is a thought or feeling (bias).

Confusion with 'Estragar': Learners often use prejudicar when they mean they broke a physical object. If you drop your phone, you estragou or quebrou the phone. You only prejudicar the phone if you're talking about its long-term performance or value in a more abstract sense, but even then, danificar is better for physical objects.
Noun vs. Verb: Another mistake is using the noun prejuízo (loss/harm) when a verb is needed. For example, saying 'Isso vai prejuízo a empresa' is wrong. It should be 'Isso vai prejudicar a empresa'. Conversely, don't say 'Tive um prejudicar' when you mean 'I had a loss'; use 'Tive um prejuízo'.

Cuidado para não prejudicar (harm) os outros, em vez de apenas ter preconceito (prejudice).

Pronunciation can also be a stumbling block. The 'j' in Portuguese is like the 's' in 'pleasure' or the 'g' in 'mirage'. English speakers sometimes try to pronounce it with a 'd' sound (like 'judge'), which is incorrect. It should be a smooth, voiced postalveolar fricative: /pɾe.ʒu.d͡ʒi.ˈkaɾ/. Also, remember that the stress is on the last syllable because it's an -ar verb in the infinitive.

Muitos alunos confundem prejudicar com 'prejudge'. No entanto, para 'prejudge', usamos 'prejulgar'.

Lastly, be careful with the preposition 'a'. While some older or very formal texts might use 'prejudicar a alguém', in modern speech, it's almost always a direct transitive verb: 'prejudicar alguém'. Adding extra prepositions is a common 'hyper-correction' that can make your Portuguese sound unnatural. Stick to the direct object for a more native-like flow.

While prejudicar is a fantastic all-purpose word for 'to harm', Portuguese offers several synonyms that can add precision to your speech depending on the context. Understanding these nuances will help you move from a basic A2 level to a more advanced B1 or B2 level of expression.

Danificar: Use this for physical objects. If you scratch a car or break a window, you danificou the object. Prejudicar is rarely used for hardware unless you mean harming its market value.
Comprometer: This means 'to compromise' or 'to jeopardize'. It is often used when an action puts a result at risk. 'Sua atitude pode comprometer o projeto' (Your attitude might jeopardize the project). It is very close to prejudicar but focuses more on the risk than the final harm.
Afetar Negativamente: This is a more neutral, scientific way to say 'to harm'. You'll see this in academic papers or technical reports. 'A temperatura afeta negativamente o crescimento das plantas'.

Em vez de prejudicar, você poderia tentar favorecer o desenvolvimento do grupo.

On the opposite side, the most direct antonym is beneficiar (to benefit). If you're debating a policy, you might ask: 'Isso vai beneficiar ou prejudicar a população?'. Other opposites include ajudar (to help), auxiliar (to assist), and favorecer (to favor). Knowing these pairs is essential for balanced arguments.

O escândalo acabou por denegrir a sua imagem, o que o prejudicou nas eleições.

In formal writing, you might also see detrimentar (rare) or lesar. Lesar is specifically used for legal or financial injury, such as 'lesar o patrimônio público' (to damage public assets). For learners, mastering prejudicar first is the best strategy, as it is the most common and versatile of all these terms in everyday Portuguese.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The English word 'prejudice' comes from the same root, but 'prejudicar' evolved to focus on the physical or abstract harm resulting from an action, while 'prejudice' focused on the bias itself.

Guide de prononciation

UK /pɾe.ʒu.d͡ʒi.ˈkaɾ/

US /pɾe.ʒu.d͡ʒi.ˈkaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: 'kar'.

Rime avec

ficar amar lugar andar pensar chegar mudar olhar

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'j' as an English 'j' (dzh). It should be a soft 'zh' like 'measure'.
Stress on the first or second syllable. Always stress the 'ar' in the infinitive.
Forgetting the 'i' sound after the 'd'. It is 'pre-ju-di-car', not 'pre-ju-d-car'.
In the past tense 'prejudiquei', pronouncing the 'u'. The 'u' is silent, it just makes the 'q' sound like 'k'.
Confusing the 'e' in 'pre' with an 'i' sound (common in some Brazilian dialects, but 'pre' is standard).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Common in news and signs, easy to recognize.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering the 'qu' in 'prejudiquei'.

Expression orale 3/5

The 'j' sound and final 'r' need practice.

Écoute 2/5

Clearly articulated in most media.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

fazer mal saúde trabalho ajudar

Apprends ensuite

prejuízo prejudicial comprometer favorecer danificar

Avancé

detrimento lesar obstaculizar depreciar

Grammaire à connaître

Regular -ar verb conjugation

Eu prejudico, você prejudica.

Spelling change in Pretérito Perfeito

Eu prejudiquei (not prejudicei).

Direct object pronouns

Isso o prejudica (This harms him).

Subjunctive mood for doubt/fear

Espero que não prejudique.

Passive voice with 'ser'

Ele foi prejudicado.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

Fumar prejudica a saúde.

Smoking harms health.

Simple present tense, 3rd person singular.

O barulho prejudica o meu sono.

The noise harms my sleep.

Direct object: o meu sono.

Isso não vai prejudicar você.

This is not going to harm you.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

A chuva prejudica a festa.

The rain ruins/harms the party.

Regular -ar verb conjugation.

Comer muito doce prejudica os dentes.

Eating too much candy harms the teeth.

Subject is a gerund phrase.

Você prejudica o grupo quando chega atrasado.

You harm the group when you arrive late.

Present tense, 2nd person (você).

O sol forte prejudica a pele.

Strong sun harms the skin.

Direct object: a pele.

Estudar pouco prejudica as notas.

Studying little harms the grades.

Verb used to show cause and effect.

Eu prejudiquei o meu trabalho ontem.

I harmed my work yesterday.

Pretérito Perfeito: note the 'qu' spelling.

A falta de água prejudicou as plantas.

The lack of water harmed the plants.

Past tense, 3rd person singular.

Não queremos prejudicar ninguém aqui.

We don't want to harm anyone here.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

O atraso do ônibus prejudicou o meu dia.

The bus delay ruined my day.

Abstract harm (the day/schedule).

Você se prejudicou com essa mentira.

You harmed yourself with that lie.

Reflexive use: 'se prejudicou'.

As regras antigas prejudicavam os novos alunos.

The old rules used to harm the new students.

Imperfect tense: 'prejudicavam'.

O frio intenso prejudicou a colheita de uvas.

The intense cold harmed the grape harvest.

Past tense, 3rd person singular.

Ele tentou não prejudicar a imagem da empresa.

He tried not to harm the company's image.

Negative infinitive.

Espero que o tempo não prejudique o evento.

I hope the weather doesn't harm the event.

Present subjunctive: 'prejudique'.

Se você continuar assim, vai prejudicar sua carreira.

If you continue like this, you will harm your career.

Conditional 'se' + future result.

A nova política prejudicou muitos trabalhadores.

The new policy harmed many workers.

Direct object: muitos trabalhadores.

Foi uma decisão que acabou por prejudicar a todos.

It was a decision that ended up harming everyone.

Compound verb structure 'acabou por'.

Não deixe que os problemas pessoais prejudiquem seu foco.

Don't let personal problems harm your focus.

Imperative + Subjunctive.

A falta de investimento prejudica o crescimento do país.

The lack of investment harms the country's growth.

Economic context.

Ele agiu de má fé para prejudicar o concorrente.

He acted in bad faith to harm the competitor.

Infinitive of purpose: 'para prejudicar'.

Sua ausência prejudicou o andamento da reunião.

Your absence harmed the progress of the meeting.

Abstract noun: 'andamento'.

A corrupção prejudica gravemente a democracia.

Corruption seriously harms democracy.

Adverb 'gravemente' modifying the verb.

O escândalo prejudicou a reputação do cientista.

The scandal harmed the scientist's reputation.

Abstract object: 'reputação'.

É provável que a greve prejudique a economia este mês.

It is likely that the strike will harm the economy this month.

Impersonal expression + Subjunctive.

Ninguém deve ser prejudicado por suas crenças.

No one should be harmed for their beliefs.

Passive voice: 'ser prejudicado'.

A poluição sonora prejudica a fauna local.

Noise pollution harms the local fauna.

Scientific/Environmental context.

O uso excessivo de telas pode prejudicar o desenvolvimento infantil.

Excessive screen use can harm child development.

Modal verb 'pode'.

Ele foi acusado de tentar prejudicar as investigações.

He was accused of trying to harm the investigations.

Gerund/Infinitive phrase.

As medidas de austeridade prejudicaram os mais pobres.

Austerity measures harmed the poorest.

Sociopolitical context.

A falha técnica prejudicou a integridade dos dados.

The technical failure compromised/harmed the data integrity.

Technical context: 'integridade dos dados'.

Tais comentários podem prejudicar o veredito final.

Such comments can prejudice/harm the final verdict.

Legal context: 'veredito'.

A desinformação prejudica o debate público saudável.

Misinformation harms healthy public debate.

Social critique context.

O autor argumenta que a censura prejudica a criatividade.

The author argues that censorship harms creativity.

Literary/Academic context.

Não podemos permitir que interesses privados prejudiquem o bem comum.

We cannot allow private interests to harm the common good.

Subjunctive after 'permitir que'.

A falta de ética acabou por prejudicar a sua ascensão profissional.

The lack of ethics ended up harming his professional rise.

Abstract noun: 'ascensão'.

O sedentarismo prejudica a longevidade da população.

Sedentary lifestyle harms the population's longevity.

Health/Demographic context.

O viés cognitivo pode prejudicar a tomada de decisão.

Cognitive bias can harm decision-making.

Psychological context.

A obsolescência programada prejudica o consumo consciente.

Planned obsolescence harms conscious consumption.

Complex economic term: 'obsolescência programada'.

A erosão do solo prejudica a sustentabilidade agrícola.

Soil erosion harms agricultural sustainability.

Scientific/Environmental terminology.

A retórica inflamada prejudicou a coesão do tecido social.

The inflamed rhetoric harmed the cohesion of the social fabric.

Metaphorical usage: 'tecido social'.

A inércia governamental prejudica a implementação de reformas.

Governmental inertia harms the implementation of reforms.

Political science context.

O excesso de burocracia prejudica a agilidade das transações.

Excessive bureaucracy harms the agility of transactions.

Corporate/Administrative context.

A fragmentação do saber prejudica a visão holística da ciência.

The fragmentation of knowledge harms the holistic view of science.

Epistemological context.

A volatilidade do mercado prejudicou os planos de expansão.

Market volatility harmed the expansion plans.

Financial context.

A negligência parental pode prejudicar o psiquismo da criança.

Parental neglect can harm the child's psyche.

Psychological/Medical terminology.

Collocations courantes

prejudicar a saúde

prejudicar a imagem

prejudicar o andamento

prejudicar os interesses

prejudicar o desempenho

prejudicar a carreira

prejudicar o meio ambiente

prejudicar o desenvolvimento

prejudicar a economia

prejudicar a visão

Phrases Courantes

sem intenção de prejudicar

— Without the intention to cause harm.

Eu disse aquilo sem intenção de prejudicar ninguém.

prejudicar gravemente

— To harm severely or seriously.

O acidente prejudicou gravemente o trânsito.

sair prejudicado

— To come out at a disadvantage or harmed.

No final, eu saí prejudicado na divisão.

prejudicar os planos

— To ruin or hinder plans.

A chuva prejudicou nossos planos de viagem.

não quero te prejudicar

— I don't want to cause you any trouble/harm.

Não se preocupe, eu não quero te prejudicar.

prejudicar a reputação

— To damage someone's standing or fame.

Mentiras podem prejudicar a reputação de alguém.

prejudicar o processo

— To hinder a legal or administrative process.

A falta de documentos prejudicou o processo.

prejudicar as chances

— To hurt the odds of success.

A lesão prejudicou as chances do atleta.

prejudicar o bolso

— To hurt someone's finances (informal).

O aumento dos impostos prejudica o bolso.

prejudicar a amizade

— To damage a personal relationship.

Dinheiro nunca deve prejudicar a amizade.

Souvent confondu avec

prejudicar vs preconceito

Preconceito is the noun for 'bias' or 'prejudice'. Prejudicar is the verb 'to harm'.

prejudicar vs prejulgar

Prejulgar is 'to prejudge' (form an opinion before). Prejudicar is the result of harm.

prejudicar vs prejuízo

Prejuízo is the noun 'loss' or 'damage'. Prejudicar is the action.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Dar um tiro no pé"

— To shoot oneself in the foot; to self-harm one's interests.

Ele deu um tiro no pé ao pedir demissão sem outro emprego.

Informal

"Puxar o tapete"

— To pull the rug out from under someone; to sabotage or harm someone's position.

Ele tentou puxar o tapete do colega para ser promovido.

Informal

"Ficar no prejuízo"

— To be left with a loss or at a disadvantage.

Comprei o carro quebrado e fiquei no prejuízo.

Colloquial

"Botar lenha na fogueira"

— To add fuel to the fire; to make a harmful situation worse.

Não diga isso agora, vai apenas botar lenha na fogueira.

Informal

"Cuspir no prato que comeu"

— To spit in the plate you ate from; to harm someone who helped you.

Falar mal da empresa é cuspir no prato que comeu.

Informal

"Lavar as mãos"

— To wash one's hands of something; to allow harm to happen by doing nothing.

Ele viu o erro, mas lavou as mãos.

Neutral

"Fazer jogo sujo"

— To play dirty; to use unfair tactics to harm others.

Eles estão fazendo jogo sujo para ganhar a eleição.

Informal

"Queimar o filme"

— To burn one's film; to damage someone's reputation.

Aquele comportamento queimou o filme dele na festa.

Slang (Brazil)

"Dar o nó"

— To tie a knot; in some contexts, to deceive or harm someone's finances.

Ele deu o nó nos sócios e fugiu.

Slang (Portugal)

"Pisar no calo"

— To step on someone's corn; to harm or annoy someone in a sensitive area.

Você pisou no calo dele ao falar da família.

Informal

Facile à confondre

prejudicar vs Estragar

Both imply something going wrong.

Estragar is for physical objects or food. Prejudicar is for abstract interests or health.

Estraguei meu bolo. O fumo prejudica a saúde.

prejudicar vs Danificar

Both mean to damage.

Danificar is technical and physical. Prejudicar is functional or abstract.

A água danificou o motor. A mentira prejudicou o processo.

prejudicar vs Atrapalhar

Both involve a negative impact.

Atrapalhar is more about getting in the way or causing a minor mess. Prejudicar is more serious harm.

O barulho me atrapalha. A crise prejudica o país.

prejudicar vs Afetar

Both mean to have an effect.

Afetar can be positive or negative. Prejudicar is always negative.

A música me afeta. O barulho me prejudica.

prejudicar vs Comprometer

Both deal with negative outcomes.

Comprometer implies a risk or a threat to integrity. Prejudicar implies the harm itself.

Isso compromete a segurança. Isso prejudica a vítima.

Structures de phrases

[Subject] prejudica [Object].

O sol prejudica a pele.

[Subject] prejudicou [Object].

A chuva prejudicou o jogo.

Espero que não prejudique [Object].

Espero que não prejudique o plano.

[Subject] pode vir a prejudicar [Object].

Isso pode vir a prejudicar a empresa.

[Subject] acaba por prejudicar [Object].

A mentira acaba por prejudicar a confiança.

Sob pena de prejudicar [Object].

Devemos agir, sob pena de prejudicar o futuro.

Você vai se prejudicar.

Se não estudar, você vai se prejudicar.

Foi prejudicado por [Agent].

O projeto foi prejudicado pela falta de verba.

Famille de mots

Noms

prejuízo (loss/harm)

prejudicado (the harmed person)

Verbes

prejudicar (to harm)

Adjectifs

prejudicial (harmful)

prejudicado (harmed/damaged)

Apparenté

preconceito

prejulgar

dano

detrimento

perda

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very high in both written and spoken Portuguese.

Erreurs courantes

Eu prejudicei o plano. → Eu prejudiquei o plano.
The 'c' changes to 'qu' in the first person preterite to maintain the 'k' sound.
Isso vai prejuízo minha saúde. → Isso vai prejudicar minha saúde.
You used the noun 'prejuízo' instead of the verb 'prejudicar'.
Ele tem prejudicar contra estrangeiros. → Ele tem preconceito contra estrangeiros.
You used 'prejudicar' (harm) instead of 'preconceito' (prejudice/bias).
Eu prejudiquei o meu copo. → Eu quebrei o meu copo.
Use 'quebrar' or 'estragar' for physical objects, not 'prejudicar'.
Isso prejudica para mim. → Isso me prejudica.
The verb is direct; you don't need 'para'.

Astuces

Past Tense Spelling

Remember the 'qu' in 'prejudiquei'. Without it, 'prejudicei' would sound like a 's' sound.

Verb vs Noun

Don't confuse 'prejudicar' (verb) with 'prejuízo' (noun). You 'have a prejuízo' but you 'prejudicar a empresa'.

Health Warnings

You will see this word on every pack of cigarettes in Brazil. It's the standard word for health damage.

Social Impact

When someone is being unfair, you can say 'Você está me prejudicando' to voice your complaint.

The 'J' Sound

Make sure the 'j' is soft like in 'pleasure'. Don't use the 'd' sound from 'jump'.

Formal Tone

In academic writing, 'prejudicar' is preferred over 'atrapalhar' or 'fazer mal'.

News Keywords

It's a high-frequency word in news about the economy. Listen for it to understand negative trends.

Vs. Danificar

If the damage is abstract, use 'prejudicar'. If you can touch the damage, use 'danificar'.

Pre-Judge

Think of it as 'Pre-Judging' someone so badly that you end up harming them.

Level Up

Once you master 'prejudicar', try using 'comprometer' for more nuanced 'at-risk' situations.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Pre-Judger'. If you judge a situation before knowing the facts, you might act in a way that will PREJUDICAR (harm) someone.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person walking and someone putting a banana peel in their path. That action will 'prejudicar' their walk.

Word Web

saúde trabalho imagem prejudicar dano prejuízo carreira estudo

Défi

Write three sentences about how a bad habit can prejudicar your life, using the present, past, and future tenses.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'praejudicare', which means to judge beforehand.

Sens originel : To make a prior judgment or to have a bias that leads to a decision.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using it to accuse someone. 'Você me prejudicou' is a serious accusation of sabotage or negligence.

English speakers often use 'hurt' or 'mess up' in informal settings, whereas Portuguese speakers use 'prejudicar' even in relatively casual conversations about health or work.

Brazilian Consumer Defense Code (Código de Defesa do Consumidor) uses it frequently. Commonly found in the lyrics of 'Samba' songs discussing betrayal. Public health campaigns in Brazil: 'Fumar prejudica a saúde e quem está ao redor'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Health

Fumar prejudica a saúde.
Dormir pouco prejudica a memória.
O açúcar prejudica os dentes.
O estresse prejudica o coração.

Work

Isso prejudica o projeto.
Não quero prejudicar sua carreira.
Atrasos prejudicam a equipe.
A falta de foco prejudica o resultado.

Education

Faltar às aulas prejudica as notas.
A conversa prejudica o aprendizado.
Não estudar prejudica o futuro.
A desorganização prejudica o estudo.

Legal/Financial

A fraude prejudicou os sócios.
A inflação prejudica o consumo.
A decisão prejudicou o réu.
O erro prejudicou o contrato.

Environment

O lixo prejudica os rios.
O desmatamento prejudica o clima.
A poluição prejudica a fauna.
O plástico prejudica os oceanos.

Amorces de conversation

"Você acha que as redes sociais podem prejudicar a saúde mental?"

"Como o trânsito da sua cidade prejudica o seu dia a dia?"

"Você já foi prejudicado por uma decisão de outra pessoa?"

"Quais hábitos você acha que mais prejudicam o aprendizado de uma língua?"

"Você acha que a chuva pode prejudicar os nossos planos para o final de semana?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escreva sobre uma situação em que você se sentiu prejudicado por algo ou alguém.

Reflita sobre como o uso excessivo de tecnologia pode prejudicar suas relações pessoais.

Descreva um momento em que você teve que tomar uma decisão difícil para não prejudicar ninguém.

Como a falta de investimento em educação pode prejudicar o futuro de um país?

Pense em um hábito que você quer mudar porque ele está prejudicando sua saúde.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is rare. Usually, we use 'danificar' or 'estragar' for physical things like a car or a phone. Use 'prejudicar' for health, reputation, or progress.

They are completely different. 'Prejudicar' is a verb meaning 'to harm'. 'Preconceito' is a noun meaning 'prejudice' or 'bias'.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb, but it has a spelling change in the first person singular of the past tense (prejudiquei) to keep the sound correct.

The adjective is 'prejudicial'. For example: 'Fumar é prejudicial'.

No, it always implies a negative impact or detriment.

In modern Portuguese, it is usually a direct transitive verb (no preposition). You say 'prejudicar alguém'.

Not really, but 'queimar o filme' is a slang way to say 'prejudicar a imagem'.

We call that person 'o prejudicado' or 'a prejudicada'.

Yes, in many contexts, 'prejudicar' can imply an intentional act of sabotage.

Yes, it is equally common and used in the same way in both countries.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes