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A2 noun 11 min read

dano

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips dano in 30 Seconds

Explanation dano in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'dano' means 'damage'. You might see it on signs or in very simple news headlines. It is important to recognize it as a masculine noun ('o dano'). At this stage, you likely use the verb 'quebrar' (to break) more often. Think of 'dano' as the result of breaking something. If you break a toy, there is a 'dano'. It is a simple concept of something not being perfect anymore because of an accident. You should focus on the basic phrase 'causar dano' (to cause damage) as a way to describe when something bad happens to an object. Even at this beginner level, knowing this word helps you understand basic warnings or reports about weather or accidents.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'dano' in more structured sentences. You should be able to describe simple accidents, like a car crash or a broken phone, using 'sofrer dano' or 'causar dano'. You will start to see the plural 'danos' more frequently. You should also learn basic adjectives like 'dano físico' (physical damage) and 'dano material' (material damage). This level requires you to distinguish between 'dano' and 'dor' (pain), ensuring you don't say you have 'dano' when you actually have a headache. You are expected to use it in contexts like travel (damaged luggage) or household issues (water damage). It's about moving from 'broken' to describing the 'harm' done in a slightly more formal way.

At the B1 level, you use 'dano' to discuss more complex topics like the environment, health, and insurance. You should be comfortable using verbs like 'reparar' (to repair/compensate) and 'evitar' (to avoid). You will learn the term 'danos morais', which is very common in Portuguese-speaking legal cultures, referring to emotional distress or damage to one's reputation. You can use 'dano' in the abstract, such as damage to a friendship or a professional relationship. Your sentences will become more complex, using prepositions correctly: 'dano ao meio ambiente' or 'dano à saúde'. You should also be able to compare 'dano' with 'prejuízo' (financial loss) and 'avaria' (mechanical failure) in specific contexts.

At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of 'dano' in professional and academic settings. You can discuss 'danos colaterais' (collateral damage) in political or military contexts. You use the word to analyze the consequences of actions in debates or essays. You are familiar with more sophisticated adjectives like 'irreversível', 'irreparável', or 'incipiente'. You can use the word in formal reports, identifying different types of damage (patrimonial, emergente, lucros cessantes). Your understanding extends to idiomatic uses and how the word functions in formal legal statutes or insurance policies. You can explain the 'dano' caused by abstract concepts like inflation or social inequality.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'dano'. You can use it in highly technical fields like medicine (dano neurológico), law (responsabilidade civil por danos), or engineering. You understand the subtle difference between 'dano' and 'detrimento' in formal writing. You can use the word to discuss philosophy or ethics, such as 'o princípio do não-dano'. Your vocabulary includes related forms like 'danoso' (harmful) and 'danificar' (to damage). You can appreciate the use of the word in literature to describe the erosion of character or the 'dano' of time. You are able to navigate complex legal or technical texts where 'dano' is a central, defined term with specific legal implications.

At the C2 level, you master the word 'dano' in all its rhetorical and linguistic applications. You can use it with precision in high-level academic research, legal arguments, or literary critiques. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to concepts of justice and restitution. You can use 'dano' to create sophisticated metaphors and analogies. You are aware of regional variations in how the word is used across the Lusophone world (Brazil, Portugal, Angola, etc.). At this level, 'dano' is not just a vocabulary word but a tool for precise expression of impact, consequence, and loss in the most refined linguistic contexts. You can effortlessly switch between technical, formal, and colloquial registers involving the word.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

dano in 30 Seconds

Dano means 'damage' or 'harm' in Portuguese.
It is a masculine noun: o dano, os danos.
Commonly paired with the verb 'causar' (to cause).
Used in physical, legal, medical, and environmental contexts.

The Portuguese word dano is a masculine noun that primarily translates to 'damage' or 'harm' in English. It is a versatile term used to describe physical impairment to an object, detrimental effects on a person's health, or even abstract losses like damage to a reputation or financial standing. In everyday life, you will encounter this word when discussing accidents, insurance claims, environmental issues, or legal disputes. Unlike the English word 'harm' which can sometimes feel more abstract or emotional, 'dano' often carries a technical or concrete weight, especially in legal and formal contexts. When an object is broken, we often speak of the estrago (mess/damage), but when we calculate the cost or the impact of that breakage, we refer to the dano. It is the quantifiable or identifiable negative result of an action or event.

Physical Context: Refers to breakage, cracks, or functional failure in machines, buildings, or electronics. For example, a car crash results in 'danos materiais'.

O terremoto causou muito dano às estruturas dos prédios antigos no centro da cidade.

Legal and Financial Context: Used to describe 'danos morais' (pain and suffering/moral damages) or 'danos patrimoniais' (property damage) in a lawsuit.

A empresa foi condenada a pagar uma indenização por dano moral ao funcionário.

Furthermore, the word is essential in the medical field to describe 'dano cerebral' (brain damage) or 'dano tecidual' (tissue damage). It implies a change from a healthy or functional state to a compromised one. In environmental discussions, we talk about 'danos ambientais' to describe the destruction of ecosystems. The word is powerful because it bridges the gap between a simple 'break' and a serious 'consequence'. Whether you are filling out a police report after a fender bender or describing the side effects of a medication, 'dano' is the precise term you need to convey the severity of the situation.

O cigarro causa um dano irreparável aos pulmões ao longo dos anos.

Social Context: Can refer to the 'dano' done to a friendship or a professional relationship due to a misunderstanding or betrayal.

A mentira causou um dano permanente à confiança que tínhamos nele.

Understanding 'dano' is vital for reaching A2 and B1 levels in Portuguese because it moves your vocabulary from simple verbs like 'quebrar' (to break) to more descriptive nouns that explain the state of things. It allows you to participate in more complex conversations about responsibility, insurance, and health. The word is regular in its usage but requires an understanding of the verbs that accompany it, such as 'causar' (to cause), 'sofrer' (to suffer/undergo), and 'reparar' (to repair/compensate).

Ninguém quer assumir a responsabilidade pelo dano causado ao equipamento.

Using dano correctly in Portuguese requires pairing it with specific verbs and adjectives to clarify the nature of the harm. Because it is a masculine noun, any accompanying adjectives or articles must agree in gender (o dano, um dano, danos graves). The most common verb construction is causar dano a [alguém ou algo]. This structure is used to assign blame or describe the source of the problem. For instance, 'O sol causa dano à pele' (The sun causes damage to the skin). Notice the use of the preposition 'a' which often fuses with articles (à, ao).

Common Verb Pairings: Causar, provocar, sofrer, evitar, reparar, minimizar, compensar.

O motorista tentou evitar o dano, mas a colisão foi inevitável.

When you are the victim of the harm, you use the verb sofrer. For example, 'O carro sofreu danos leves' (The car suffered light damage). This is the standard way to describe the aftermath of an event from the perspective of the object or person affected. In professional settings, particularly in insurance or law, you will often see the word paired with 'reparar' or 'ressarcir', which means to fix or compensate for the damage. 'É impossível reparar o dano causado à sua imagem' means 'It is impossible to repair the damage caused to your image'.

A chuva forte provocou danos severos nas plantações de café.

Adjective Agreement: Dano grave (serious), dano leve (light), dano permanente (permanent), dano colateral (collateral), dano irreversível (irreversible).

Infelizmente, o dano cerebral foi considerado irreversível pelos médicos.

When talking about multiple types of damage, use the plural danos. You will frequently hear 'danos e perdas' (damages and losses) or 'danos materiais' (property damage). If you are describing a situation where no harm was intended, you might say 'sem intenção de causar dano'. This word is also used in abstract logic, such as 'dano político' (political damage) when a scandal affects a candidate's chances. The versatility of 'dano' makes it a high-frequency word once you move beyond basic survival Portuguese into descriptive and analytical language.

O escândalo causou um dano político enorme ao partido antes das eleições.

Prepositional Usage: Dano em (damage in/on), Dano a (damage to), Dano por (damage by/due to).

Houve muito dano por causa da inundação no porão da casa.

You will encounter the word dano in various real-world scenarios across the Portuguese-speaking world. One of the most common places is the evening news (Jornal Nacional in Brazil or Telejornal in Portugal). News anchors use it to report on natural disasters, car accidents, or economic crises. You might hear: 'O furacão deixou um rastro de danos por onde passou' (The hurricane left a trail of damage wherever it went). It provides a more serious tone than words like 'bagunça' or 'problema'.

In the Media: Used in headlines regarding environmental catastrophes, cyberattacks (danos aos sistemas), and high-profile legal battles.

O ataque hacker causou danos significativos ao banco de dados da empresa.

Another frequent setting is the doctor's office or a hospital. Medical professionals use 'dano' to specify the level of injury to organs or tissues. A doctor might explain the results of an exam by saying, 'Não há dano visível nos ossos' (There is no visible damage to the bones). This usage is crucial for patients to understand the severity of their condition. Similarly, in the world of technology and gadgets, if you take your phone to a repair shop, the technician will likely mention 'danos causados por água' (water damage) if you dropped it in the pool.

A garantia não cobre danos acidentais causados por queda ou líquidos.

In Legal Documents: Contracts often have clauses about 'perdas e danos' (damages and losses) to protect parties if things go wrong.

O contrato prevê o pagamento de danos em caso de rescisão antecipada.

In video games, 'dano' is the standard translation for 'damage'. If you play games in Portuguese, you will see 'Dano de Ataque' (Attack Damage) or 'Dano por Segundo' (Damage Per Second - DPS). This makes the word very familiar to younger generations. Finally, in environmental activism, the term 'dano ecológico' is used to describe the impact of pollution or deforestation on the planet. Whether in a high-stakes legal room or a casual gaming session, 'dano' is a word that carries the weight of consequence across all levels of society.

A espada mágica tem um bônus de dano contra monstros de fogo.

Daily Life: Car rentals, apartment leases (checking for existing 'danos'), and insurance policies.

Antes de alugar o carro, verifique se já existem danos na lataria.

For English speakers learning Portuguese, the word dano can sometimes be tricky due to its similarity to other words or its specific usage patterns. One common mistake is confusing 'dano' with 'dor' (pain). While 'dano' refers to the harm or injury itself, 'dor' refers to the physical sensation of pain. You wouldn't say 'estou com dano no braço' to mean your arm hurts; you would say 'estou com dor no braço'. However, you could say 'o acidente causou um dano no meu braço' if you are referring to a structural injury like a fracture.

Dano vs. Prejuízo: 'Prejuízo' is specifically for financial loss. If you lose money on a stock, it's 'prejuízo'. If the stock market crash 'harms' the economy, it's 'dano'.

Errado: Tive um dano de cem euros na bolsa. Correto: Tive um prejuízo de cem euros na bolsa.

Another error is the phonetic confusion between 'dano' and 'dado'. 'Dado' can mean 'given', 'data', or 'dice'. Beginners sometimes swap these in fast speech. Remember: 'dano' has the 'n' sound, associated with 'negative' or 'nocivo' (harmful). Also, be careful with the plural. In English, 'damage' is often uncountable (you don't usually say 'damages' unless referring to legal compensation). In Portuguese, 'danos' is very common and countable. 'Os danos foram muitos' is perfectly correct.

Os danos causados pela tempestade foram avaliados em milhões.

Dano vs. Estrago: 'Estrago' is more informal and often implies a mess or a ruin. 'Dano' is more clinical or legal.

O cachorro fez um estrago no sofá (informal/messy). O incêndio causou um dano estrutural (formal/serious).

Finally, watch out for the preposition. Learners often want to use 'para' (for) because of English 'damage for'. In Portuguese, it is usually 'dano a' (damage to) or 'dano em' (damage in). For example, 'dano ao meio ambiente' (damage to the environment). Using the wrong preposition can make your sentence sound unnatural even if the meaning is understood. Practice the 'causar dano a...' pattern until it becomes second nature.

A poluição causa um dano terrível à saúde pública.

Register Confusion: Using 'dano' for small things like a broken glass might sound too dramatic. Use 'quebrar' or 'estragar' for minor domestic incidents.

Eu estraguei o brinquedo (natural). Eu causei um dano ao brinquedo (too formal).

To truly master the concept of dano, it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for describing things that go wrong. The most common alternative is prejuízo. While 'dano' is the physical or moral harm, 'prejuízo' is the loss (usually financial) that results from that harm. If someone crashes into your store, the broken window is the 'dano', and the money you lose while the store is closed is the 'prejuízo'.

Dano vs. Prejuízo: Dano = The harm/breakage. Prejuízo = The resulting loss/cost.

O dano no motor causou um prejuízo financeiro enorme à transportadora.

Another important word is avaria. This is a technical term used primarily for mechanical or electrical failures, especially in ships, planes, or cars. If your washing machine stops working, it has an 'avaria'. If you hit it with a hammer, it has a 'dano'. Estrago is the more colloquial cousin of 'dano'. It describes a mess, a ruin, or a visible destruction. When a child plays roughly with a book, we say they made an 'estrago' in the book.

Avaria: Technical/Mechanical failure. Used in insurance and shipping.
Estrago: Informal/Visible damage or mess. 'Que estrago!' (What a mess!).

O navio sofreu uma avaria no casco, mas o dano total ainda não foi avaliado.

In more literary or formal contexts, you might see detrimento. This is often used in the expression 'em detrimento de' (to the detriment of). It implies that something is being harmed or neglected so that something else can benefit. For example, 'Ele focou no lucro em detrimento da qualidade' (He focused on profit to the detriment of quality). Finally, mal can be used as a synonym for harm in a general sense, as in 'fazer mal a alguém' (to do harm to someone). Choosing the right word depends on whether you are talking to a mechanic, a lawyer, a doctor, or a friend.

O uso excessivo de telas pode causar mal à visão das crianças.

Lesão: Specific to biological tissues or medical injuries.
Detrimento: Formal/Abstract harm involving a trade-off.

O atleta sofreu uma lesão grave que o afastou dos gramados.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The English word 'damn' comes from the same Latin root, originally meaning to judge someone as worthy of a 'damnum' (penalty).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈdɐ.nu/

US /ˈdɐ.nu/

First syllable (DA-no).

Rhymes With

pano cano plano soberano humano cigano insano profano

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of 'u'.
Confusing the 'n' with an 'm' sound.
Making the 'a' too open like in 'father' (it should be more closed/nasal).
Stress on the second syllable.
Aspirating the 'd' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to Latin roots.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct prepositional use (a, em, por).

Speaking 2/5

Simple two-syllable word, but watch the final 'o'.

Listening 3/5

Can be confused with 'dado' or 'dono' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

quebrar problema coisa carro saúde

Learn Next

prejuízo indenização danificar irreversível responsabilidade

Advanced

lucros cessantes nexo causal responsabilidade civil dano emergente reparação in natura

Grammar to Know

Gender Agreement

O dano (masculine), nunca 'a dano'.

Pluralization

Dano -> Danos (regular plural).

Preposition 'A'

Causar dano AO carro (a + o).

Preposition 'À'

Causar dano À saúde (a + a).

Adjective placement

Dano permanente (usually after the noun).

Examples by Level

O carro tem um dano.

The car has a damage.

Simple noun usage with an article.

A chuva causou dano.

The rain caused damage.

Subject + Verb + Noun.

O dano é pequeno.

The damage is small.

Noun + Verb 'ser' + Adjective.

Não quero causar dano.

I don't want to cause damage.

Negative construction with infinitive.

Onde está o dano?

Where is the damage?

Interrogative sentence.

O dano foi no motor.

The damage was in the engine.

Past tense of 'ser'.

Vimos o dano ontem.

We saw the damage yesterday.

Past tense verb 'ver'.

Este dano é novo.

This damage is new.

Demonstrative pronoun + Noun.

O acidente causou danos materiais.

The accident caused material damage.

Plural noun with adjective.

Você sofreu algum dano?

Did you suffer any harm?

Verb 'sofrer' in a question.

O dano no celular é grave.

The damage to the phone is serious.

Noun + Prepositional phrase + Adjective.

Precisamos avaliar o dano.

We need to evaluate the damage.

Modal verb + Infinitive.

A queda provocou um dano leve.

The fall caused a light damage.

Verb 'provocar' as a synonym for 'causar'.

Não há danos visíveis na mala.

There are no visible damages on the suitcase.

Existence verb 'há' + Negative.

O sol pode causar dano à pele.

The sun can cause damage to the skin.

Modal 'pode' + Prepositional 'à'.

Ele pagou pelos danos que causou.

He paid for the damages he caused.

Relative clause 'que causou'.

O seguro cobre danos contra terceiros.

The insurance covers third-party damages.

Specific legal/insurance terminology.

O dano moral é difícil de quantificar.

Moral damage is difficult to quantify.

Abstract noun phrase.

A poluição causa danos ao ecossistema.

Pollution causes damage to the ecosystem.

Scientific/Environmental context.

Eles tentaram minimizar o dano.

They tried to minimize the damage.

Verb 'minimizar' + Noun.

Houve dano cerebral devido à falta de oxigênio.

There was brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

Medical terminology.

O dano à reputação da empresa foi enorme.

The damage to the company's reputation was huge.

Abstract usage of 'dano'.

É necessário reparar o dano imediatamente.

It is necessary to repair the damage immediately.

Impersonal 'É necessário' + Infinitive.

O fumo causa danos irreversíveis aos pulmões.

Smoking causes irreversible damage to the lungs.

Adjective 'irreversíveis'.

A guerra resultou em danos colaterais severos.

The war resulted in severe collateral damage.

Military/Political term 'danos colaterais'.

O juiz determinou a indenização por danos materiais.

The judge determined compensation for material damages.

Legal context 'indenização'.

O uso de agrotóxicos causa danos à biodiversidade.

The use of pesticides causes damage to biodiversity.

Advanced environmental vocabulary.

O dano emergente deve ser comprovado em juízo.

The actual loss must be proven in court.

Specific legal term 'dano emergente'.

A crise econômica causou danos profundos à classe média.

The economic crisis caused deep damage to the middle class.

Socio-economic analysis context.

Não podemos ignorar o dano psicológico das vítimas.

We cannot ignore the psychological damage to the victims.

Mental health context.

A falha no sistema causou danos à integridade dos dados.

The system failure caused damage to data integrity.

Technological/IT context.

O projeto foi cancelado para evitar maiores danos.

The project was canceled to avoid further damage.

Strategic decision context.

A negligência estatal causou danos imensuráveis à população.

State negligence caused immeasurable damage to the population.

Political critique context.

O princípio do não-dano é central na bioética contemporânea.

The principle of non-maleficence is central to contemporary bioethics.

Philosophical/Academic term.

A erosão costeira provoca danos constantes à infraestrutura.

Coastal erosion causes constant damage to infrastructure.

Geological/Engineering context.

O dano estético foi incluído no pedido de reparação.

Aesthetic damage was included in the request for compensation.

Specific legal sub-category.

A difamação buscou causar dano à sua integridade moral.

The defamation sought to cause damage to his moral integrity.

Formal discussion of law/ethics.

O fármaco foi retirado do mercado por danos hepáticos.

The drug was withdrawn from the market due to liver damage.

Pharmacological context.

O dano ambiental é, muitas vezes, transfronteiriço.

Environmental damage is often transboundary.

International relations context.

A decisão foi tomada em detrimento de possíveis danos futuros.

The decision was made to the detriment of possible future damages.

Complex prepositional usage.

A hermenêutica jurídica sobre o dano evoluiu significativamente.

Legal hermeneutics on damage has evolved significantly.

High-level academic/legal theory.

O dano existencial reflete a perda da qualidade de vida projetada.

Existential damage reflects the loss of projected quality of life.

Philosophical-legal concept.

Mitigar o dano sistêmico exige uma intervenção macroeconômica.

Mitigating systemic damage requires a macroeconomic intervention.

Economic theory context.

A obra literária explora o dano indelével causado pelo tempo.

The literary work explores the indelible damage caused by time.

Literary analysis context.

O nexo de causalidade é essencial para caracterizar o dano.

The causal link is essential to characterize the damage.

Strict legal terminology.

O dano à biosfera é uma ameaça à sobrevivência da espécie.

Damage to the biosphere is a threat to the survival of the species.

Global/Scientific discourse.

A reparação in natura visa anular o dano ocorrido.

Restoration in kind aims to nullify the damage that occurred.

Legal Latinism used in Portuguese.

O dano punitivo, embora controverso, é discutido no direito comparado.

Punitive damages, although controversial, are discussed in comparative law.

Comparative legal studies.

Common Collocations

causar dano

sofrer dano

danos materiais

danos morais

dano cerebral

dano ambiental

reparar o dano

dano irreversível

danos colaterais

extensão do dano

Common Phrases

Perdas e danos

— A legal term for 'damages and losses'.

Ele exigiu perdas e danos no tribunal.

Sem dano

— Without harm or damage.

O pacote chegou sem dano.

Dano colateral

— Unintended harm during an action.

O fechamento da rua foi um dano colateral da obra.

Dano estético

— Harm to one's physical appearance.

A cirurgia resultou em dano estético.

Dano emergente

— Actual loss incurred (legal term).

O advogado calculou o dano emergente.

Dano patrimonial

— Damage to property or wealth.

O roubo causou um dano patrimonial.

Dano à saúde

— Harm to health.

O açúcar em excesso causa dano à saúde.

Minimizar danos

— To reduce the negative impact.

Precisamos agir para minimizar danos.

Dano de guerra

— Damage resulting from conflict.

A cidade ainda tem danos de guerra.

Dano por água

— Water damage.

O seguro não cobre dano por água.

Often Confused With

dano vs dor

Dor is the feeling of pain; dano is the injury or harm itself.

dano vs dado

Dado means 'given', 'data', or 'dice'. Dano means 'damage'.

dano vs dono

Dono means 'owner'. Dano means 'damage'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Não faz dano a uma mosca"

— Said of someone who is very gentle and harmless.

Ele é um homem bom, não faz dano a uma mosca.

informal

"O mal já está feito"

— The damage is already done (using 'mal' as a synonym).

Não adianta pedir desculpas, o mal já está feito.

neutral

"Custe o que custar"

— Regardless of the 'damage' or cost (indirectly related).

Vou consertar isso, custe o que custar.

neutral

"Pagar o pato"

— To pay for the 'damage' someone else caused.

Eu não quebrei nada, mas acabei pagando o pato.

slang

"Dar o braço a torcer"

— To admit damage to one's pride/position.

Ele finalmente deu o braço a torcer e admitiu o erro.

informal

"Fazer gato e sapato"

— To treat someone badly (causing moral damage).

Ela faz gato e sapato do namorado.

informal

"Lavar as mãos"

— To ignore the damage one might have caused.

Ele viu o problema e lavou as mãos.

neutral

"Chorar sobre o leite derramado"

— To cry over the damage that cannot be fixed.

O carro quebrou, não adianta chorar sobre o leite derramado.

informal

"Entrar numa fria"

— To get into a situation that causes damage/trouble.

Aquele negócio foi uma fria.

slang

"Tirar o cavalinho da chuva"

— To stop expecting something (avoiding further damage to hopes).

Pode tirar o cavalinho da chuva, não vou te dar dinheiro.

informal

Easily Confused

dano vs prejuízo

Both mean loss or harm.

Prejuízo is almost always financial; dano is broader (physical, moral, etc.).

O dano no carro resultou num prejuízo de mil reais.

dano vs avaria

Both refer to things breaking.

Avaria is for technical/mechanical failure; dano is general harm.

A avaria no motor foi o maior dano do acidente.

dano vs estrago

Both mean damage.

Estrago is informal and refers to a visible mess; dano is more formal.

Que estrago você fez no bolo!

dano vs lesão

Both refer to injury.

Lesão is strictly biological/medical; dano is general.

A lesão no cérebro é um dano grave.

dano vs perda

Both involve something negative happening.

Perda is the act of losing; dano is the harm itself.

A perda da visão é um dano terrível.

Sentence Patterns

O [noun] tem um dano.

O vidro tem um dano.

O [event] causou danos.

O vento causou danos.

É um dano [adjective].

É um dano permanente.

Sofrer danos em [location].

Sofrer danos na estrutura.

Dano em detrimento de [noun].

Dano em detrimento do lucro.

A caracterização do dano [adjective].

A caracterização do dano estético.

Não há danos em [noun].

Não há danos na caixa.

Avaliar o dano de [noun].

Avaliar o dano do incêndio.

Word Family

Nouns

dano

danificação

danificador

Verbs

danificar

danar

Adjectives

danoso

danificado

daninho

prejuízo

estrago

lesão

avaria

perda

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in news, legal, and insurance contexts.

Common Mistakes

A dano → O dano
Dano is a masculine noun.
Estou com dano na cabeça. → Estou com dor na cabeça.
Use 'dor' for physical pain sensation.
O dano custou muito dinheiro. → O prejuízo foi grande.
Use 'prejuízo' for financial loss.
Causar dano para a saúde. → Causar dano à saúde.
The verb 'causar' usually takes the preposition 'a'.
Danos de água. → Danos por água.
Use 'por' to indicate the cause of the damage.

Tips

Gender Check

Always use masculine articles and adjectives with 'dano'. Say 'o dano grave', not 'a dano grave'.

Legal Terms

Learn 'danos morais' and 'danos materiais' together; they are the most common legal pair.

The Final O

Remember the final 'o' sounds like 'u'. This is a key feature of Portuguese pronunciation.

Formal Writing

Use 'dano' in reports to sound objective and professional.

Avoid 'Dor'

Don't use 'dano' when you mean 'pain'. Use 'dor' for physical sensations.

Environment

Use 'dano ambiental' when discussing ecology or climate change.

Dano vs Prejuízo

Think of dano as the 'what happened' and prejuízo as the 'how much it cost'.

Mosca

The idiom 'não faz dano a uma mosca' is a great way to describe a kind person.

News Reports

Listen for 'danos' at the beginning of news segments about storms or accidents.

Daily Objects

Look at a broken object and say 'Há um dano aqui' to practice.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'DENT' in your 'N-ew' car. DA-NO. Damage in the New Object.

Visual Association

Imagine a car with a large 'D' shaped dent on the side. That 'D' stands for Dano.

Word Web

Dano Causar Sofrer Material Moral Reparar Grave Leve

Challenge

Try to use 'dano' in three different contexts today: one about an object, one about health, and one about a mistake.

Word Origin

From the Latin word 'damnum', which means 'loss', 'harm', or 'damage'.

Original meaning: Financial loss or penalty in a legal context.

Romance (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'dano' in a medical context; it can be very serious. Ensure clarity between 'dano' (the injury) and 'dor' (the pain).

In English, 'damage' is often used for objects, while 'harm' is for people. In Portuguese, 'dano' covers both seamlessly.

The Brazilian Civil Code (Código Civil) defines 'dano' in detail. Legal dramas on TV often feature 'danos morais' cases. Environmental reports by NGOs like Greenpeace Brazil.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Car Accident

Bati o carro.
Houve danos materiais.
O seguro cobre?
Quem causou o dano?

Legal Dispute

Vou processar.
Danos morais.
Quero indenização.
O dano foi provado.

Health

Dano cerebral.
Dano nos pulmões.
Isso faz mal?
Prevenir o dano.

Technology

Dano por líquido.
A tela quebrou.
Dano no sistema.
Perda de dados.

Environment

Dano ecológico.
Poluição do rio.
Dano irreversível.
Proteger a natureza.

Conversation Starters

"Você já teve algum dano sério no seu celular?"

"O que você acha que causa mais dano ao meio ambiente hoje?"

"Você já precisou pedir indenização por danos materiais?"

"Como podemos evitar danos à nossa saúde no trabalho?"

"O que causa mais dano a uma amizade: uma mentira ou o silêncio?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um momento em que você causou um dano acidental a algo valioso.

Escreva sobre um dano ambiental que você observou na sua cidade.

Como você lida com o dano emocional após uma discussão difícil?

Reflexão: É sempre possível reparar o dano causado a outra pessoa?

Descreva os danos que uma tempestade forte pode causar em uma fazenda.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but usually in a medical or legal sense (dano físico, dano moral). For general 'hurt', use 'magoar' or 'ferir'.

It refers to 'moral damages' or 'pain and suffering' in a legal context, often for defamation or emotional distress.

It is always masculine: o dano.

You say 'dano causado por água' or simply 'danos por água'.

Yes, it is the standard word for 'damage' (e.g., Attack Damage = Dano de Ataque).

Dano is formal and technical; estrago is informal and visual.

No, the noun is 'dano'. The verb is 'danificar' or 'danar'.

Dano cerebral.

Yes, very common, especially when referring to multiple effects of a disaster.

Yes, it is the most direct translation for 'harm' in most contexts.