In 15 Seconds
- Use it to warn others about risks or physical harm.
- Works as a standalone exclamation or with an infinitive verb.
- Appropriate for both formal warnings and casual advice among friends.
Meaning
This is how you say 'it's dangerous' when you want to warn someone about a risk, whether it's a dark alley or a spicy pepper.
Key Examples
3 of 6Warning a friend about a dark street
Não vá por ali, é perigoso.
Don't go that way, it's dangerous.
Talking about a risky investment
Investir tudo nesse negócio é perigoso.
Investing everything in this business is dangerous.
Texting a friend about a bad idea
Mandar essa mensagem para o seu ex é perigoso! rsrs
Sending that message to your ex is dangerous! lol
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'é perigoso' is often used as a friendly piece of advice to newcomers about where to carry their phones. It's a sign of social solidarity. In Portugal, you will see 'É perigoso' signs near the cliffs (falésias) of the coast. The Atlantic ocean is respected and feared for its power. Historically, 'é perigoso' was a vital warning regarding landmines in rural areas. Today, it's more commonly used in urban safety contexts. In Mozambique, the phrase is often used in the context of wildlife, especially near rivers where crocodiles or hippos might be present.
Agreement is Key
Always check if you are describing a masculine or feminine noun. 'O mar é perigoso', but 'A água é perigosa'.
Ser vs Estar
Don't say 'Eu estou perigoso' unless you mean you are dangerous right now for some weird reason. Use 'Eu sou perigoso' (I am a dangerous person).
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to warn others about risks or physical harm.
- Works as a standalone exclamation or with an infinitive verb.
- Appropriate for both formal warnings and casual advice among friends.
What It Means
É perigoso is your go-to warning label for life. It literally translates to "it is dangerous." You use it to signal risk or potential harm. It covers physical danger, financial risks, or even social blunders. It is simple, direct, and very effective.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone warning. Just point and say É perigoso! to stop someone. You can also add an action after it. Use É perigoso followed by a verb in the infinitive. For example: É perigoso andar sozinho (It is dangerous to walk alone). It works perfectly in almost any sentence structure.
When To Use It
Use it when you see a wet floor. Use it when a friend wants to invest in a scam. It is great for hiking or driving in heavy rain. Use it at a restaurant if the food is too hot. It is a helpful, protective phrase for people you care about.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for minor inconveniences. If a movie is just boring, it is not perigoso. Avoid using it for things that are just 'difficult.' If you are talking about a person being 'dangerous' in a sexy way, use perigosa or perigoso carefully. In that context, it might sound like a cheesy pickup line.
Cultural Background
Brazilians and Portuguese people are generally very protective of family. You will hear parents saying this constantly to children. It is part of a culture that values safety and 'prevenção' (prevention). There is a famous Brazilian song called 'Perigosa' about a femme fatale. It shows the word can have a playful, edgy side too.
Common Variations
You can make it stronger by adding muito. É muito perigoso means it is very dangerous. If you are talking about the past, say Era perigoso. For a specific object, say Esse carro é perigoso. It is a versatile building block for your Portuguese vocabulary.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and fits any social setting. Remember that 'perigoso' is the masculine/neutral form; if referring to a feminine object like 'uma trilha' (a trail), use 'perigosa'.
Agreement is Key
Always check if you are describing a masculine or feminine noun. 'O mar é perigoso', but 'A água é perigosa'.
Ser vs Estar
Don't say 'Eu estou perigoso' unless you mean you are dangerous right now for some weird reason. Use 'Eu sou perigoso' (I am a dangerous person).
Subjunctive Trigger
If you add 'que' after 'É perigoso', the next verb must be in the subjunctive. 'É perigoso que ele *vá*'.
Examples
6Não vá por ali, é perigoso.
Don't go that way, it's dangerous.
A classic safety warning for a specific location.
Investir tudo nesse negócio é perigoso.
Investing everything in this business is dangerous.
Used here for financial risk rather than physical harm.
Mandar essa mensagem para o seu ex é perigoso! rsrs
Sending that message to your ex is dangerous! lol
Used humorously to describe a social risk.
Cuidado, meu filho, é perigoso!
Careful, my son, it's dangerous!
Expresses protective concern and urgency.
Atenção: É perigoso entrar sem capacete.
Attention: It is dangerous to enter without a helmet.
Formal safety instruction in a public space.
Eu acho que pular de paraquedas é perigoso demais.
I think skydiving is too dangerous.
Expressing a personal opinion on a risky activity.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the adjective.
Aquelas montanhas são _________.
'Montanhas' is feminine and plural, so the adjective must be 'perigosas'.
Which sentence is correct for a temporary danger?
The road is dangerous right now because of the ice.
Use 'estar' for temporary conditions like weather-related danger.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Posso pular no rio? B: Não faça isso! _________.
When used as an impersonal warning about an action, use the masculine singular 'É perigoso'.
Match the warning to the situation.
Situation: You see a child playing with a sharp knife.
Knives represent a physical risk, so 'É perigoso' is the appropriate warning.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'É perigoso'
Physical
- • Electricity
- • Traffic
- • Wild animals
Abstract
- • Investments
- • Secrets
- • Politics
Social
- • Lies
- • Arguments
- • Strangers
Ser vs Estar with Perigoso
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAquelas montanhas são _________.
'Montanhas' is feminine and plural, so the adjective must be 'perigosas'.
The road is dangerous right now because of the ice.
Use 'estar' for temporary conditions like weather-related danger.
A: Posso pular no rio? B: Não faça isso! _________.
When used as an impersonal warning about an action, use the masculine singular 'É perigoso'.
Situation: You see a child playing with a sharp knife.
Knives represent a physical risk, so 'É perigoso' is the appropriate warning.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, 'Ele é perigoso' means 'He is a dangerous person'.
'Perigoso' is more general and common. 'Arriscado' specifically implies a risk of failure or loss.
It is 'É perigoso fazer'. No 'de' is needed.
You can say 'muito perigoso' or 'perigosíssimo'.
Yes, it's a common informal way to warn someone about very hot peppers.
Yes, it is standard in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
The opposite is 'seguro' (safe).
Only if you are calling HER dangerous: 'Você é perigosa'. If you are warning her about a situation, it stays 'É perigoso'.
Usually, you would see 'Perigo' on a sign, but people shout 'Cuidado!' in real life.
It is neutral. It works in both a business meeting and a bar.
'Mó' is short for 'maior' (biggest). It's very common slang.
Only if the movie is literally harmful. If it's just bad, use 'ruim'.
It's a single tap of the tongue against the roof of the mouth, like the 'r' in 'very'.
Yes, to describe risky investments or strategies.
Related Phrases
Cuidado
similarCareful / Caution
É arriscado
synonymIt's risky
É uma fria
specialized formIt's a bad idea / trap
Corre perigo
builds onIs in danger
Seguro
contrastSafe
